CLERMONT, Fla. — Smith College (5-4) faced two opponents on Friday, falling to Colby (3-0) with a final score of 12-3 in the first game, but bouncing back with a decisive 9-1 victory over Lawrence University (5-2) later in the day.
In the first game against Colby, Smith opened the scoring in the first inning when
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) walked and stole second, setting the stage for
Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) to drive her in with a single to left field. The inning concluded with Smith leading 1-0. However, Colby quickly took the lead in the third inning with a solo home run by Ella Wilcox, making the score 2-1 in favor of Colby.
Colby extended its lead in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. Avery Lyman singled to bring home Kelsey Sullivan, followed by Ella Wilcox and Juliana Kiley each adding RBI singles. By the end of the inning, Colby led 6-1. The fifth inning saw Colby add another run with a solo home run by Emma Burnham, bringing the score to 7-1. Colby continued its offensive momentum in the sixth inning with Victoria Ramirez's double driving in Juliana Kiley, increasing the lead to 8-1.
In the seventh inning, Colby scored four more runs, highlighted by Caroline DeSimone's double that cleared the bases, bringing the score to 12-1. The Bears responded in the bottom of the seventh, with
Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) scoring on a bases-loaded walk by
Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) and
Anna Gray (Santa Barbara, CA/Dos Pueblos) scoring on a fielder's choice by
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes), closing the gap to 12-3. The game concluded with Colby defeating the Bears 12-3.
Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on ten hits, including a home run and a triple, while striking out two and walking two. Her performance resulted in a 3.87 WHIP as she faced 22 batters.
Lindsay Bennett (Sanford, ME/Berwick Academy) relieved Peverly, tossing 3 2/3 innings, yielding six earned runs on eight hits, with a home run and four doubles, while recording one strikeout and one walk. Bennett faced 20 batters, finishing with a WHIP of 2.81.
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) contributed significantly with two stolen bases and also recorded four assists from the shortstop position.
Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) scored once and collected an RBI while going 1-for-2 at the plate.
Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) managed a hit in her three at-bats, maintaining a .667 OPS.
In the second game against Lawrence, Smith secured a decisive victory with a final score of 9-1. In the first inning,
Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) reached first on an error by the second baseman, allowing
Riley Veenstra (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd) to drive her in with a double to left field, giving the Bears an early lead. The inning concluded with both teams tied at 1-1.
In the third inning,
Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) singled to right field and advanced to third on a groundout. Veenstra then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing Hasegawa home and putting the Bears ahead 2-1. The fourth inning saw Smith extend its lead.
Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) singled and later scored on a single by
Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School). Following a single by
Lily Hackett (Concord, NH/Concord) and a stolen base,
Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) drove in two more runs with a single, making the score 5-1.
The Bears' offense continued to dominate in the fifth inning. Veenstra doubled, and
Anna Gray (Santa Barbara, CA/Dos Pueblos), as a pinch runner, scored on an error. Tamai reached on another error, driving in two more unearned runs.
Lucy Allen (West Boylston, MA/West Boylston) singled to drive in Chinnis, increasing the lead to 8-1. In the sixth inning,
Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) scored after singling and stealing two bases, with
Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) hitting an RBI groundout. The Bears held Lawrence scoreless through the remaining innings, finishing the game with a commanding 9-1 victory.
Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) delivered a commanding performance on the mound, pitching a complete game with six innings of work. Gray allowed only three hits and one earned run while striking out 11 batters. The pitcher exhibited excellent control, issuing no walks and maintaining a WHIP of 0.50. Gray's efforts contributed significantly to Smith's success, improving her record to 3-0 for the season.
Riley Veenstra (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd) led the offense with two doubles and two RBIs, contributing significantly at the plate.
Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) added to the scoring with three RBIs and one hit.
Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) showcased speed on the bases, scoring twice and stealing two bases.
Smith has an overall record of 5-4. Colby has a record of 3-0, while Lawrence holds a record of 5-2.
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.
