CHICOPEE, Mass. – Emmanuel softball opened conference play on Saturday afternoon, earning a pair of run-rule wins against the Elms Blazers, including the first career collegiate no-hitter for first-year Carmen Crockett in game one of the day, in a 16-0 and 11-3 sweep, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.
GAME ONE: Emmanuel 16 – Elms 0 (Final / 5 Innings)
Crockett's no-hitter came in the opening game, but long before the rookie Saints pitcher took to the circle, the Saints opening inning of the day resulted in 12 runs for the visitors.
A Blazers error helped the Saints get their first run on the board before a series of RBI singles by MeKayla Poisson, Alexis Martineau, Rylee Smith, and Emely Rodriguez boosted the Emmanuel lead to 6-0.
More Blazers miscues helped the Saints increase their lead to 8-0, before an RBI double by Mia Fernandes, upped the lead to 9-0. Another grouping of RBI singles helped finish the scoring for the top of the frame, as the Saints posted a dozen runs for a 12-0 lead.
In the circle, Crockett was nothing short of dominant, as she struck out eight of the first 10 batters she faced through three innings. A walk in the second inning and in the fourth inning were the only marks against a perfect game, as the strikeouts continued to pile up for the rookie.
Between the final out of the bottom of the second and the final out of the game in the fifth, Crockett struck out 10 consecutive Elms batters, as Crockett earned the third no-hitter in the last six seasons for Emmanuel, on the way to the 16-0 win.
Crockett finished with a career-high 13 strikeouts, being charged with just two walks on the afternoon, both of which came on a 3-2 count. Poisson finished 4-for-4 at the plate, all singles, to go with two RBI and a run scored. Fernandes added a 4-for-5 game, with a pair of doubles, three runs scored, and one RBI.
GAME TWO: Emmanuel 11 – Elms 3 (Final / 5 Innings)
In game two, the Blazers were off to a quick lead, scoring all three of their runs in the bottom of the first to hold a 3-0 edge. An RBI single by Jill Dykema, followed by a two-run single for Kaelyn Zakaitis gave the Blazers a three-run lead.
Emmanuel answered back in the top of the second with a two-out rally resulting in four runs. A fly out and groundout started the inning before a walk and RBI triple for Olivia DeMacedo got the Saints on the board.
An Elms error continued to cut into their deficit, while Francesca Pizzarella knocked an RBI single to tie the game at 3-3. A pair of singles, including an RBI single by Grace Garon finished the inning, as the Saints took a 4-3 lead.
Emmanuel added to their advantage in the top of third, posting another big inning with seven runs. A bases-loaded RBI single by DeMacedo gave the Saints a two-run lead before Samantha Serio produced a two-run double, lifting the Saints to a 7-3 lead. An RBI single, RBI groundout, and Elms error followed to give Emmanuel three more runs and a 10-3 edge. The visitors finished the scoring with an RBI groundout, giving them an 11-3 advantage.
Saints first-year Jessica Voutour took the circle in game two, and after allowing three runs in the first, locked in and shut down the Blazers offense. After the first, Voutour allowed just one hit, matched with three walks, as no base runner advanced past first base safely for Elms in the last four innings.
DeMacedo finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Garon and Pizzarella both finished 2-for-4 in the second game, each adding two RBI in the victory. Voutour earned her first career collegiate win, pitching all five innings, allowing three runs on four hits.
UP NEXT
The Saints were scheduled to return tomorrow, March 22, for a doubleheader with Wentworth, but a forecast of rain has postponed the two-game series. Updates on the postponement and make-up date can be found on GoECSaints.com.
