NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — The Smith College softball team dropped a non-conference contest to Williams College, 10-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Smith Softball Field. The Bears built a 4-1 lead through two innings before the Ephs broke through with a 3-run fourth and a 4-run sixth to pull away for the victory.

Early Lead, Late Fade

Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) set the tone for Smith in the bottom of the first, singling to open the frame before stealing third and coming home on a Riley Veenstra (Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd) RBI single to give the Bears an early 1-0 edge. Smith added three more runs in the second inning to extend the lead to 4-1, but Williams answered immediately — shortstop Katie Blanch unloaded a solo home run to left field in the top of the second to make it a 4-2 game and begin what would become an imposing offensive day.

The Ephs methodically erased Smith's advantage, scoring twice in the third and three more times in the fourth to flip the scoreboard to a 6-4 Williams lead they would not relinquish. Violet Peverly (Granby, CT/Loomis Chaffee) started in the circle for the Bears, finishing with 3.0 innings pitched but allowing six runs on eight hits — including Blanch's first home run — before giving way to Lindsay Bennett (Sanford, ME/Berwick Academy) with the game still within reach. Bennett worked the next four frames, surrendering three earned runs over 4.0 innings with two strikeouts.

Williams' Damage

Blanch was the story for the visitors, finishing 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, five RBI, and two runs scored. She added a second homer in the sixth inning as Williams put up four more runs to close out the scoring. Justine Dunaway chipped in 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while Haley Barrett went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Williams starter Natalie Carter earned the win, going 6.1 innings and scattering eight hits while walking no one.

Bear Highlights

Knutson paced the Smith offense with a 2-for-4 effort, including a double, two RBI, and a stolen base. Gabbie Chinnis (Charleston, SC/Charleston County School of Arts) went 2-for-4 and stole two bases, while Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School) added a run-scoring double. Sophie Hasegawa (Palos Verdes Estates, CA/Palos Verdes) reached base twice and swiped a pair of bags. Smith finished with eight hits but was held scoreless over the final five innings.

Up Next

Smith, now 13-11 on the season, travels to Springfield, Mass. for a NEWMAC doubleheader against Springfield College on Friday, April 17, with the first game set for 2:30 p.m.

About Smith Athletics Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.