Bay Path Prevails in Battle of the Wildcats
04.16.2008 —Rodriguez and Gates led Bay Path in a NAC sweep of Wheelock
Senior catcher Amanda Rodriguez (South Hadley, Mass.) and sophomore shortstop Sarah Gates (North Granby, Conn.) led Bay Path College in a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader sweep against Wheelock College. The Wildcats of Bay Path took game one 3-to-1 and downed the Wildcats of Wheelock in only six innings 13-to-4 in the nightcap at the Farmlea Rd. Field.
Head Coach Steve Smith was able to take full advantage of his bench today having the entire roster make an appearance in the conference doubleheader. Five Maroon and White Wildcats hit above .400 for the day being lead by Rodriguez going 6-for-7 (.857) and Gates finishing 5-for-7 (.714) with five RBI and three runs.
In game one, both hurlers seemed to be fueling a great pitchers dual. Wheelock struck first in the top of the fourth beginning with a shot to deep center by junior pitcher Stacy Seidner (Pembroke, NH). The Blue and Gold Wildcats scored the first run of the game when sophomore shortstop Elise Ordile (Waltham, Mass.) plated Seidner on a triple to right field.
Bay Path answered back in the bottom of the fourth with junior outfielder Sarah Palmer (Topsham, Maine) slicing a triple shot down the right line. Rodriguez nailed a single to the pitcher to grab the RBI.
With the score knotted 1-to-1, sophomore pitcher Jess Nizinski (West Springfield, Mass.) held Wheelock the next two innings. Bay Path’s Nizinski then proceeded to go on the offense with a double to right center in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gates launched her fourth homer of the year over the center field fence bringing Nizinski along for the ride.
Nizinski (10-5) was awarded the win allowing only four hits on one run. She fanned five and walked two for the opener. Seidner (3-7) suffered the loss allowing nine hits on three runs fanning four and placing one batter on base.
Gates finished a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI, while Rodriguez went 2-for-3. Wheelock had four batters hitting safely.
In game two, both teams jumped in early with Wheelock scoring immediately. The Blue and Gold sluggers’ again let Ordile notch an RBI off a double shot to center field scoring Seidner.
Bay Path answered with sophomore second base player San Gunseth (Swanzey, Mass.) shellacked her sixth homer of the year to knot the nightcap. Gunseth now leads her team in homeruns.
The Maroon and White Wildcats proceeded to take full advantage in the bottom of the second securing the win scoring 7 runs. Palmer, Rodriguez, freshman infielder Jess Priestly (Middleboro, Mass.), Gates and Palmer each provided hits in the inning. Gates and Palmer each picked up two RBI for their at bat.
Needing one more run to enact the mercy rule, Bay Path’s Palmer scored the ninth run after freshman relief pitcher Nicole Zina (Bristol, RI) walked sophomore outfielder Danielle Rambler (Farmington, NH) for the RBI
Despite the lead, Wheelock came back with a vengeance in the 5th scoring three runs. Sophomore outfielder Emmanuela Osei (East Hartford, Conn.) struck out to start the top of the fifth. Fellow sophomore Amanda Siebert (Salem, Conn.) singled on the next at bat. Seidner popped up to third base for the second out of the fifth. Zina singled through the right side, but due to a throwing error, Siebert was given an additional base on a dead ball. This started Wheelock’s scoring run with Ordile keeping the runs the coming on double deep right center plating Zina. Ordile then scored on sophomore catcher Erin Godfrey’s single to right field.
Despite the setback, Bay Path’s sophomore hurler Kristal Cormier (Rochester, NH) was able to shut them down in the top of the sixth. Teammate Rodriguez got the ball rolling in the bottom with a beautifully placed bunt. Priestly moved her to second on a ground out to third base. Freshman outfielder Taryn Ricci (Southington, CT) walked. Fellow freshman Sam Hahn (Hadley, Mass.) sent them around on a slice to right center scoring Rodriguez. Gates followed launching one to deep left field plating Ricci. Gunseth then sealed the deal bringing Hahn and Gates home on her fourth double of the year.
Cormier (7-4) notched the win allowing eight hits and four runs only three earned. She fanned five and walked only one. Seidner (3-8), despite going only two innings, again garnered the loss allowing eight runs. Zina closed going 3.2 innings allowing five hits on five runs and striking out three for the night cap.
Bay Path moves into the fifth position in the North Atlantic Conference with the sweep. They are now 17-9 overall and 9-5 in conference play. Wheelock falls to 5-15 on the season and 1-11 in the NAC. Bay Path will continue to host six games this week with a non-conference match-up against Southern Vermont on Friday beginning at 3:00 p.m. on the Farmlea Rd. Field.
