Ephs wrap up trip with 17-0 win over Elmhurst
ORANGE, CA -- The Williams College softball team rebounded from a tough morning loss to end its West Coast trip with a bang -- a 17-0 win over Elmhurst that allowed the Ephs to head home with a .500 (9-9) record.
Senior Margaret Ryan hurled a shutout in the second game win, allowing only two hits over five innings -- the game ended early due to the mercy rule -- while walking no one and striking out five batters.
Her teammates supported her with two runs in the first, three in the second, four in the third and seven in the fourth to pull away. Williams had 12 hits in the victory, led by Becky Sansone's 3 for 3 performance that included five RBI, a home run and a double.
The Ephs led 2-0 after one, but Sansone's three-run homer in the top of the second triggered the fireworks. In the third, Mary Gelber, who finished 3 for 4 with three RBI and three doubles, lined a two-run double and scored on a wild pitch. Senior Taryn Goodman then smacked a solo home run for a 9-0 lead. Goodman went 3 for 4 with the home run and a double.
Williams' seven-run fourth inning was highlighted by senior Katie Powers blasting a grand slam home run.
"It was a good way to end up," Ephs head coach Kris Herman said. "Everybody who was healthy played, so it was a good team effort. Margaret pitched well. We're not where we need to be yet as a team, but we learned a lot on this trip."
The Ephs dropped a 4-2 decision to Wellesley -- currently ranked No. 1 in New England -- earlier in the day. Junior Morgan Simpson went the distance, giving up nine hits and four runs, all earned, while not issuing a walk and striking out seven over seven frames.
The Ephs only runs came in the third. Katie Blankshain drew a walk and came around to score on Joey Lye's two-run homer that cut the Ephs' deficit to 3-2. Williams could only muater four hits in the loss. Lye went 2 for 3 with two RBI, and Sansone and Simpson each had one hit.
