Tufts Downs Softball 2-0 in NESCAC Tournament

The Panthers played their last game of the season on Friday, May 3 against Tufts in the NESCAC Tournament. Though the softball season worked hard all season and made it to the tournament, the Jumbos ultimately won the game 2-0, and then went on to win the entire NESCAC Championship. 

 The Panthers finished with a 4-8 record in the conference and 12-19 record overall for the 2019 season. Last year, the team finished with a 5-6 conference record and a 20-11 overall record. 

 The team might not have taken NESCACs, but they still had a successful season. Middlebury holds third in the conference for total number of home runs (17) and slugging (.463). Their stats are comparable to those from last season, their on base percentage is .398 in 2019 compared to .383 in 2018 and their batting average is .323 compared to .312 last season. Panther Melanie Mandell ’20 currently holds the highest batting average (.464) and the third highest number of runs batted in (34) in the conference. 

 As it was the last game of the season, it was the last game ever for senior captains Ally Doll, Irene Margiotta and Liza Tarr, who have all played for Midd since they were first-years.  

 These seniors will leave the team in very capable hands. The girls can rely on rookies who made waves this season, with a significant percentage of notable plays coming from infielders Sophia Marlin ’22, Sophie Bolinger ’22, Noelle Ruschil ’22 and pitcher Jen McGann ’22.