CLERMONT, Fla. — Smith College experienced a mix of outcomes in their recent softball matches, achieving a commanding victory against Worcester State University 18-2 before falling to Ramapo 11-3 at a neutral site.
In the game against Worcester State, Smith's offense was potent, totaling 19 hits and scoring nine runs in the fourth inning alone. Worcester State took an early lead in the first inning when Bailey Tammaro scored on a passed ball, putting them up 1-0. Smith, however, did not score in their half of the inning, concluding the first with Worcester State leading 1-0.
The second inning saw Smith respond with significant offensive momentum.
Elinor Washington (Sacramento, CA/Pleasant Grove) doubled to start the inning, and
Bailey Gray's (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) single advanced her to third.
Sophie Hasegawa's (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) bunt single allowed Washington to score.
Taz Tamai's (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) ground out brought in Gray, and
Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) tripled to drive in Hasegawa. The Bears led 3-1 at the end of the second inning.
In the third inning, the Bears extended their lead with a six-run rally.
Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts), pinch hitting, singled and later scored on an error.
Bailey Gray's (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) single drove in
Anna Gray (Santa Barbara, CA/Dos Pueblos), who was running for
Alana Robinson (Benicia, CA/Benicia).
Lucy Allen (West Boylston, MA/West Boylston) and
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) each contributed RBI singles, and
Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) doubled to bring in two more runs. Knutson added another RBI single. This inning closed with the Bears leading 9-1.
Smith continued its strong performance in the fourth inning, scoring nine more runs.
Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) and
Lucy Allen (West Boylston, MA/West Boylston) each knocked in runs, and Knutson's double cleared the bases for three additional runs.
Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) and
Malaya Sumii (Alameda, CA/The College Preparatory School) added RBI singles, further increasing the lead. At the end of the fourth, the Bears held an 18-1 advantage.
In the fifth inning, Worcester State managed to score one more run on a passed ball, but it was not enough to challenge the Bears' commanding lead. The final score was Smith 18, Worcester State 2.
Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) pitched a complete game, securing the victory for the Bears with a dominant performance on the mound. She worked 5 innings, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 5 batters, while maintaining a perfect earned run average for the game. Peverly demonstrated control with 73 pitches thrown, 45 of which were strikes, resulting in a WHIP of 1.00. Her efforts were instrumental in the team's win, as she effectively shut down Worcester State's offense.
Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) tallied five RBIs and three hits, including a double and a triple.
Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) finished with four hits, driving in two runs and scoring three times while also stealing a base.
Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) contributed four RBIs and two hits, including a double, bolstering the Bears' offensive performance. Smith improved their overall record to 1-0, while Worcester State fell to 1-1.
In their subsequent matchup against Ramapo, Smith faced a challenging opponent. In the first inning,
Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) doubled to center field, but the team couldn't capitalize, and Ramapo responded with Avery Kontura scoring on an RBI single through the left side, putting Ramapo ahead 1-0.
The second inning saw Smith held scoreless again, while Ramapo increased its lead with Emily Ehrmann scoring on a hit-by-pitch, and Emily Pietrzykowski crossing the plate on a wild pitch, extending Ramapo's lead to 3-0.
Smith made headway in the third inning.
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) singled and stole second, setting up Knutson to bring her home with a single. Later,
Elinor Washington (Sacramento, CA/Pleasant Grove) grounded out but allowed Knutson to score, narrowing the gap to 5-2. However, Ramapo matched this with two more runs, maintaining a 5-2 lead.
The fifth inning saw Smith's final score. Knutson doubled, and after
Taz Tamai's (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) single,
Alana Robinson's (Benicia, CA/Benicia) sacrifice fly brought Knutson home, closing the score to 11-3. Ramapo capitalized on a throwing error and added multiple runs to finalize the scoring.
The game concluded with Ramapo defeating the Bears 11-3.
Alana Robinson (Benicia, CA/Benicia) pitched 2 1/3 innings for Smith, facing 19 batters and allowing nine hits and five earned runs. She issued three walks and struck out two batters, but also hit two batters and threw one wild pitch. Robinson's WHIP for the game was 5.71, and she was credited with the loss, moving to 0-1 on the season. Despite the challenges, she managed to record a sacrifice fly for an RBI during her plate appearance.
Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) led the team by recording three hits, including two doubles, and scored two runs, contributing significantly to the offensive effort.
Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) added value with a hit and a walk, also stealing a base, showcasing her effectiveness on the field.
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) contributed with a hit, scoring one run, and successfully stole a base.
Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) rounded out the top performers by securing a hit and a stolen base, enhancing the team's dynamics.
Smith's overall record now stands at 1-1, as the Bears will face off against NESCAC foe Trinity College in Clermont, Florida.
About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram.
