NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Senior
Autumn Duff struck out three allowing just two hits and no runs, and went 3-for-4 at the plate contributing two runs and two RBIs to lead Union to a doubleheader sweep of MCLA at Zavattaro Athletic Complex on Tuesday afternoon.
Game One: Union 6, MCLA 3
Senior Melody Kappel (2-9) pitched six innings, striking out three and only allowing only three runs (two earned). First-year Carra Cleaves closed out the game in the seventh inning, striking out two and allowing zero hits.
Senior Tatum Perkins led the offensive going 3-for-3 with a walk, scoring two runs and one RBI. Sophomore Sam Rose went 2-for-4 driving in two runs and one RBI. Kappel went 2-for-3 scoring one run. Junior Ellie Wintringer went 2-for-4 at the plate while classmate Elizabeth Werner reached base twice and scored a run.
MCLA jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs on two singles and a wild pitch, but Union answered in the top of the second. Perkins led off with a triple and Cleaves followed with an RBI single to bring Perkins home.
The Garnet Chargers added two more runs in the top of the third to erase the deficit. Kappel doubled to left field and advanced to third on the throw. After a fielder's choice and wild pitch, First-year Kyla Springer followed with a ground out to bring Kappel home and a throwing error allowed Rose to score and tie the game at three.
Union took the lead in the fourth and held the Trailblazers scoreless over the final three innings to secure the win. Three straight singles by Werner, Wintringer and Kappel loaded the bases, and Rose capped off the rally with an RBI single, driving in Werner.
The Garnet Chargers added a run in both the fifth and sixth innings. In the fifth, Perkins drew a lead off walk, stole second and third, and scored on a passed ball. In the sixth, Rose started with a lead off bunt single, then stole second. Perkins came through again, hitting a single up the middle to drive in the run.
Game Two: Union 13, MCLA 0
Duff (1-2) pitched four strong innings, striking out three while allowing just two hits and no runs. Cleaves closed out the game in the fifth and final inning, also striking out three and keeping the shutout intact.
Duff also led the offense, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBIs. First-year Sammy Fenigstein went 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI. Sophomore Sophia Burynski added a 2-for-3 performance with two runs and one RBI. Junior Haley Gibbons went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while senior Tatum Perkins was 2-for-4 with two runs.
Union jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. Perkins doubled to right-center, advanced to third on a groundout by Springer and scored on a wild pitch.
After a scoreless second inning, the Garnet Chargers kept their rhythm going, scoring four runs in the top of the third. Perkins led off with a single to the pitcher and stole second, and Burynski followed with an RBI single to bring Perkins home. Duff followed with a single to center to score Burynski and first-year Amy FitzPatrick drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in Fenigstein. Sophomore Sam Rose capped the rally with a single to shortstop, plating Duff.
Union tacked on five more runs in the fourth, with Fenigstein chipping in an RBI single and Kappel tripling home a run as well in the inning. Union closed out the game with three more runs in the fifth. Duff then hit a double to left center to drive in first-year Gianna Guastaferro and Kappel's infielder grounder brought home Fenigstein for the final run of the game.
Union (7-17) returns to action on Friday for a home conference doubleheader versus RIT (10-20). The first pitches are set for 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
