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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Softball Splits Wednesday’s Doubleheader, Sweeps Wesleyan Over the Weekend

<span class="photocreditinline"><a href="https://middleburycampus.com/39670/uncategorized/michael-borenstein/">MICHAEL BORENSTEIN</a></span><br />Irene Margiotta ’19 has pitched 78 innings this year and has earned herself an 8-5 win-loss record.
MICHAEL BORENSTEIN
Irene Margiotta ’19 has pitched 78 innings this year and has earned herself an 8-5 win-loss record.

Last week, when asked about softball’s recent defeats, captain Irene Margiotta ’19 said that the team was “young but extremely talented [...] and we are looking forward to giving it our all in the next few conference weekends to come.” Margiotta and the rest of the team lived up to the mindset as the Panthers demonstrated strong performances this week, winning four of their five games. 

On Wednesday, April 10, they competed in a double-header (both games rescheduled from late March) against Keene State. The team won the first game by the skin on their teeth as Keene let both Emily Moore ’21 and Melanie Mandell ’20 walk. However, they lost the second game 13-9 in only five innings. The game started off looking great for the home team, as the women scored five runs in the first inning. The Owls, thirsty for a win scored six runs in the second inning and four in the third, giving them a lead that the Panthers weren’t able to catch up to.  

But the Panthers brought it back strong in a series against Wesleyan this past weekend. Middlebury crushed the Cardinals 19-6, scoring 13 runs in the final two innings of the game. They carried that success into their next two games. The women won 3-2 in the morning and 4-1 in the afternoon.  On Saturday morning the women started out strong, completing a run at the top of the first thanks to a single from Rookie Sophie Bolinger and a triple from Mandell. Caroline Thacker ’21 amazed us all, pitching five shutout innings. 

Mandell represented the Panthers well, earning herself the title of NESCAC Player of the Week. In the Wesleyan series her hit percentage was at 67%, making eight of her 12 at bats. Mandell also managed to achieve an on base percentage of 71% — an amazing feat.  Bolinger also made key plays this week in both the Keene and Wesleyan series. Her bunt Friday against Wesleyan loaded the bases and allowed the women to get three runs at the top of the second. She also helped load the bases in Middlebury’s second game last week against Keene, contributing to the five run lead they earned in the first inning. 

The Panthers will play two games against Union college on Wednesday, April 17. They will also head into a series against Hamilton this weekend. The Hamilton games will not be won without a fight. Although Middlebury generally beats Hamilton, a clean sweep will be critical for the team this weekend. 


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