Longmeadow, MA - Bay Path University got the best of Vermont State University Lyndon in both ends of today's non-conference doubleheader. The host Wildcats improved to 16-15 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 2-10.
Game 1 - Bay Path 16, VTSU Lyndon 5
Bay Path erupted for 16 runs over the first four innings to pull away in the opener.
Lyndon struck first in the opening inning, as Riley McNamara (Manchester, NH) drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run and give the Hornets an early 1-0 lead. Bay Path answered immediately with a five-run bottom half, using a combination of timely hits and an unearned run to take control at 5-1.
The Hornets responded with their strongest inning in the second, capitalizing on Bay Path miscues. Megan Richardson (Essex Junction, VT) scored on an error, and Ella Huntington (Taylorsville, UT)brought home a run on another miscue. McNamara followed with a two-run single, as Lyndon plated three runs in the frame to pull within 5-4.
That would be as close as the Hornets would get. Bay Path regained momentum with two runs in the second inning, including a solo home run from Madison Sunderland, before breaking the game open with five runs in the third and four more in the fourth. A Jackie Phillips three-run home run highlighted the decisive third inning as the Wildcats built a commanding lead.
Lyndon finished with five runs on five hits, led by McNamara, who went 1-for-1 with three RBI and two walks. Sarah Collier (Hardwick, VT) added a pair of hits, while Lindsey Gannon (Beverly, MA) scored twice and reached base multiple times. Richardson also contributed with a hit and a run scored.
Kaitlyn Kerstetter picked up the win in the circle for Bay Path. She allowed one earned run and five hits, with eight strikeouts and six walks. McNamara took the loss for the Hornets, allowing 16 runs, 14 earned, on 13 hits over four innings while striking out two.
Bay Path was paced offensively by a five-RBI performance from Phillips, while Sunderland scored four times and added three RBI. The Wildcats totaled 13 hits in the win.
Game 2 - Bay Path 12, VTSU Lyndon 2
Bay Path jumped out quickly, scoring twice in the first inning on an RBI double from Tristan Perez and a run-scoring single from Jenna Boudreau to take an early 2-0 lead. The Wildcats added to their advantage in the second, capitalizing on defensive miscues to plate three unearned runs and extend the margin to 5-0.
The Wildcats continued to build their lead with two more runs in the third before breaking the game open in the fourth. Ansley Morrison's inside-the-park grand slam highlighted a five-run inning as Bay Path stretched the lead to 12-0.
Lyndon was held hitless through four innings before breaking through in the fifth. Kazandra Gonzalez (Norwalk, CA) and Aracely Delgado-Juarez (LaBelle, FL) each reached and later scored, and Gannon delivered the Hornets' lone hit of the game, a two-run single that accounted for both Lyndon runs.
Gannon finished 1-for-3 with two RBI to lead the Hornets offensively. The Hornets managed just one hit in the contest while drawing three walks.
Alyssa Kreischer got the win with the complete game one-hitter. McNamara again took the loss in the circle, allowing 12 runs, five earned, on eight hits over four innings while striking out five.
Morrison led Bay Path by driving in four runs with the inside-the-park home run. Madison Tessmer added a three-RBI double. Ariana Rivard chipped in two RBI as the Wildcats totaled eight hits in the win.
Lyndon returns home for another non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon when they host in-state rival Norwich University at 3:00 pm.
