Bay Path Sweeps Douleheader with 11-4 Win

Bay Path used a pair of big innings and timely power to pull away late, defeating Elms 11–4 Wednesday evening at Condon Field (Chicopee, Mass.). The Wildcats scored in four different frames and capitalized on five Elms errors to turn a tight early game into a comfortable road win.
 

Early chaos, quick lead changes
Bay Path struck first in the top of the first, manufacturing two unearned runs. Caroline Austin came around to score on a throwing error on a bunt by Madison Tessmer, who later crossed the plate on a passed ball to make it 2–0.

Elms answered immediately in the bottom half. Amanda Raymond scored when Aniah Glover reached on an error by the Bay Path pitcher, trimming the deficit to 2–1. In the second inning, Elms briefly grabbed control when Raymond ripped a two-run double to center, driving in Reece Hebert and Ashlyn Cullity for a 3–2 advantage.

Bay Path's third inning flips the game
Bay Path reclaimed the lead in the third with a small-ball-and-power combination. Aria Rivard scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Olivia Sunderland to tie it 3–3, and moments later Taylor Moreau launched a two-run homer to left to put Bay Path ahead 5–3.

Elms managed a run in the fourth in unconventional fashion: during a double steal sequence, Raymond swiped second and Hebert stole home, cutting it to 5–4. That was as close as the Blazers would get.

Home runs and a seventh-inning breakaway
Bay Path created separation in the fifth. Sunderland connected on her 100th career hit with a home run to left-center to make it 6–4, and an RBI groundout by Anya Gesin brought home Taylor Moreau for a 7–4 cushion.

The Wildcats then blew the game open in the seventh, scoring four runs. Tristan Perez delivered an RBI single, and Bay Path added three more when Madison Sunderland reached on an error in right field with the bases active, allowing multiple unearned runs to score and pushing the margin to 11–4.

Pitching: Bay Path locks it down after the fourth
Bay Path starter Kaitlyn Kerstetter earned the win, working four innings while allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts. After Elms got within one in the fourth, the Wildcats' bullpen shut the door: Alyssa Kreischer threw two scoreless innings without allowing a hit, and Sunderland closed with a one-hit seventh, striking out two to earn the save.

Elms starter Jill Dykema took the loss, going 4.1 innings and surrendering seven runs (five earned) while walking six and allowing two home runs. Caity Flynn finished the game in relief, and while only one of her four runs was earned, Bay Path's pressure and Elms' defensive issues continued to extend innings.

Notables
- Madison Sunderland (Bay Path):2-for-4, 5 RBI , HR, sac fly; also earned the save.
- Taylor Moreau (Bay Path):2-for-4, 2 RBI , HR; scored twice.
- Caroline Austin (Bay Path):scored three runs, reached base consistently (3 walks).