BUZZARDS BAY, Mass -- Saturday was senior day for softball as they recognized one of the best classes to play softball at the Academy. On the field, the Buccaneers took on MCLA in their final conference series of the season. Needing a sweep to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Buccaneers went on to split with the Trailblazers, winning game one 5-2 and losing game two 2-0.

Game One

The Basics

Final: Buccaneers 5, Trailblazers 2

Records: Maritime 12-18 (4-11)

               MCLA 15-16 (5-7)

In the Circle

Maritime: Jennamarie Klemp (W, 9-10): 7 IP | 4 H | 2 R | 1 ER | 4 BB | 2 K

MCLA: Hannah Gilbert (W, 7-8): 6 IP | 7 H | 5 R | 4 ER | 4 BB | 5 K

Inside the Numbers

Maritime

• Kelsey Booker had three hits in the win for the Bucs. Reagan Kerecz added two base knocks, and Carlee Hiddemen and Natalie Gale each had one.
• Booker hit her second home run of the season, the 17th of her career. 
• Booker drove in three runs, Ab'c'de Patane and Hiddemen each drove in one.
• Hannah Burton scored two of the Buc runs, and Kerecz, Booker, and Patane each scored once.

MCLA

• Hailey Peabody, Nevaeh Lopez, Paxton Ebling, and Hannah Mitchem all had one hit in the loss.
• Peabody had a double for the guests. 
• Mitchem drove in a run.
• Peabody and Alexandra Espel scored the two runs for the Trailblazers.
• Miranda Ronzoni and Mitchem each stole base in the loss.

How It Happened

After a scoreless first inning, MCLA scored the first runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Mitchem hit an infield single that allowed Espel to score. The Trailblazers led 1-0 after two.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Buccaneers took a 2-1 lead thanks to Booker's home run over the left field fence, scoring herself and Burton. 

In the top of the fifth, MCLA tied the game at 2-2 when Peabody scored on an error by the Buccaneers. But, in the bottom of the frame, Patane reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Kerecz to score and give the Bucs the lead once again, 3-2. Then, Hiddemen singled up the middle to drive in Patane, giving the Buccaneers an insurance run. Maritime led after five, 4-2.

Maritime added one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Booker single that allowed Burton to score once again. 

Klemp and the Bucs defense shut down MCLA in the top of the seventh to earn the 5-2 victory in game one.

Game Two

The Basics

Final: Trailblazers 2, Buccaneers 0

Records: Maritime 12-19 (4-12)

               MCLA 16-16 (6-8)

In the Circle

Maritime: Ashleigh Catlett (L, 3-9): 6 IP | 7 H | 2 R | 1 ER | 3 BB | 5 K

MCLA: Allie Mienaltowski (W, 7-7): 7 H | 4 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 4 K

Inside The Numbers

Maritime

• Lexi LeBlanc recorded three hits in the game, and Carlee Hiddemen added one. 

MCLA

• Hailey Peabody had three hits in the win. Maggie Closinski added two hits, and Navaeh Lopez, Allie Mienaltowski, and Hannah Mitchem each had one.
• Peabody had a home run and two doubles in the game. Mienaltowski added a triple, and Closinski had a two-bagger. 
• Peabody recorded the only RBI on her home run. 
• Peabody and Mienaltowski scored the two runs.
• Lopez recorded a stolen base in the game.

How It Happened

Game two was a pitcher's duel between Catlett and Mienaltowski, as neither side wavered in the first four innings of the game. Then, in the fifth inning, Peabody hit a solo home run to give MCLA a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Trailblazers added one more run when Mienaltowski scored on a passed ball following her triple. 

The Buccaneers had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to capitalize as the Trailblazers took game two, 2-0.

What's Next

The Bucs have three non-conference double headers remaining on their schedule, beginning with Curry on Tuesday, April 28th on the road beginning at 2:30pm.