Softball Earns First Victory vs. Morrisville State

AURORA, N.Y. – The Wells College softball team pounded 20 hits on Sunday, splitting a doubleheader against North Eastern Athletic Conference rival Morrisville State College at the Wells College Softball Field. After picking up a 7-5 victory in the opening game, Wells posted a six inning 11-3 loss to the Mustangs. Exiting play on Sunday, Wells' overall record stands at 1-7 while the Mustangs conclude the day with a 3-16 overall record alongside a NEAC mark of 3-7.

Trailing 5-2 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, Wells took the lead for good in the game using timely hits to score runs. Sophomores Kylie Nishioka (Encinitas, Calif.), Karley Raczynski (Fonda, N.Y.) and Kendrick Wilson (Collins, N.Y.) led off the inning with singles. Wilson's base knock to left field plated the inning's first two runs as the ball was bobbled in center field.

Shortstop Lindsay Achzet (Johnstown, N.Y.) singled up the middle and a defensive miscue advanced Achzet and Wilson into scoring position. Pitcher Taylor Spranger (Schenevus, N.Y.) pulled a ball down to first base, scoring Wilson from third to tie the game at five runs aside. Senior Charlee Weidman (New Berlin, N.Y.) singled to left field following Spranger's RBI groundout, driving in Achzet for the go-ahead run. In the home half of the sixth inning, four straight hits by Wells plated a run to add insurance late in the contest.

Spranger picked up her first collegiate victory for Wells in the opener as she allowed two earned runs across seven innings of work, striking out five Morrisville State batters. Erika Kenney was saddled with the loss as she allowed 15 hits in six innings while four earned runs crossed the plate.

In the second game, the Mustangs built up an 8-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back en route to the victory. Wells committed three errors in the frame, allowing the six hits off of Spranger to maximize the damage. Morrisville State added two additional runs in their half of the third inning to increase their lead to 10-0.

With one out in the home half of the third inning, Nishioka singled before Raczynski drove a double to deep center field to place runners at the corners. Wilson followed Raczynski with a single to center field that plated both base runners to cut into the deficit. Following a walk by Achzet, Spranger slapped a single to center field that drove home Wilson to score her team's third run of the afternoon.

With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, a Tori Schultz single plated the last Morrisville State run of the afternoon to increase the lead to 11-3. Morrisville State was able to retire the side in the bottom of the sixth inning and the game was called due to the visitor's eight run lead through five-plus innings.

Krista Baxter allowed only three earned runs on the afternoon, picking up her second victory of the season with six strong innings of work. Spranger allowed 11 total runs, only four earned, while striking out one Morrisville State batter.

The Express return to action this Wednesday, Apr. 16 as they host the Storm of Keuka College in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at the Wells College Softball Field.