Softball

2009 GNAC Champions NEWTON, MASS. -- Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) delivered a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning to score Jilisa Rawding (So., Tewksbury, Mass.) and give Emerson College a come from behind 2-1 victory over St. Joseph's College in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball Championship Tournament. The win gives the Lions (32-7) their second GNAC Championship in the past three seasons and qualifies Emerson for the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament that begins May 9 at a site to be determined.

Farago's single followed a single to centerfield by Rawding. Catie McDonough (Sr., North Adams, Mass.) dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Rawding to second. Rawding took third on a passed ball and easily scored as Farago's hit was lined down the left field line.

St.Joseph's scored first in the tight pitchers' duel between Emerson's Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middletown, Conn.) and St. Joseph's Kiera Walsh. In the top of the fourth inning the Monks' Anna Willis had a one out single and advanced to second on a Emily Leverone single. Liddy van der Linden then walked to load the bases. Alyssa Dunn singled to center to plate Willis. A fielder's choice forced Leverone at the plate and a strikeout halted the inning.

Emerson got the run back in the bottom of the sixth inning as Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) singled through the right side and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Sierra Wood (So., Torrance, Calif.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Herman to third. Brittany Martin (So., Las Vegas, Nev.) followed with a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Herman. All-tournament Cropped

Emerson survived a scare in the St. Joseph's seventh when with one out Jillian Kimball reached on an error by Tuthiill and advanced to second on the throw. Pinch hitter Maria Labbe lined a hard shot to left field on which Emerson's Megan Kaye (Sr., Miami, Fla.) made a running catch and perfect throw to double Kimball off at second and end the threat.

Tuthill (left in photo) was named the Tournament's most valuable player giving up only four runs in 21 innings pitched. Farago (second from left) , McDonough (second from right), and Herman (right), were each named to the all-tournament team.

Emerson's Tuthill named NEISCA Pitcher of the Week

Emerson College pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY., Middletown, Conn.) has been named the Pitcher of the Week by the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association for the week ending April 26. Tuthill pitched the Lions to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship by pitching a shutout and allowing only three runs in 21 innings pitched in three complete games. She was named the Most Valuable Player in the GNAC Tournament and was voted the GNAC Pitcher and Rookie of the Year by the Conference coaches.

TUTHILL LEADS LIONS ON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Emerson College pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middletown, Conn., left) leads a list of seven Lion players named to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball All-Conference team. Tuthill was named the Pitcher of the Year, the Rookie of the Year, and selected as a pitcher on the Al-Conference first-team.

Tuthill has compiled a 18-3 record over the course of the season for the Lions. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the recently completed Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Tournament. Tuthill was named the GNAC Pitcher of the Week four times during the season as she compiled a 0.91 earned run average and held opponents to a .174 batting average. She struck out 185 in 138.2 innings.

Also selected to the first team All-conference squad were outfielder Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y., right) , and infielder Kendall Peiguss (FY, Suquamish, Wash.). Farago is an All-Conference pick for the third consecutive season. In her junior year she has batted .439 with a slugging percentage of .707. She leads the team in hits (54), runs (41), triples (6), home runs (4), runs batted in (31), and stolen bases (11). Farago has also been nominated for Academic All-America, and had the game winning RBI in the GNAC Championship Game.

Kendal Peiguss Peiguss (left) had a very strong rookie season playing primarily at first base. She has a .377 batting average with 40 hits (second on the team to Farago) and leads the team with 12 doubles. She is also the team leader in sacrifice hits with five. During the year she has compiled a .964 fielding percentage.

Second team honorees were Nikki Battaglia (Jr., Freehold, N.J.), Sierra Wood (So., Torrance, Calif.), and Sara Murray (FY, Auburn, N.H.). Battaglia plays third base for the Lions. She is a .337 hitter and was second on the team in runs batted in with 27.

Wood was Emerson’s primary catcher all season. She hit .305 in 33 games with two doubles, a triple, and two home runs. Wood did not make an error in 235 fielding chances.

Murray compiled a 10-1 mound record for the Lions. She allowed only 15 earned runs in 74.2 innings, and opponents batted only .223 against her. She had four complete games and an ERA of 1.41. She was also the Emerson selection to the Conference Sportsmanship Team.

Jilisa Rawding (So., Tewksbury, Mass.) was a third team selection in the outfield. Rawding hit .415 in 27 games with a double, two triples, and a home run. Her fielding percentage was 1.000 on 15 chances.

Emerson coach Phil McElroy was selected as GNAC Coach of the Year by his peers. McElroy has guided the Lions to a 32-7 record and the GNAC Championship. It is the second time Emerson has won the GNAC title in the past three seasons.

TUTHILL CONTINUES TO DOMINATE GNAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK AWARD, Herman Player of the Week

For the third time this season, Emerson College softball pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middlefield, Conn.) has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. During the week ending April 19, Tuthill won three games without a loss as Emerson clinched the GNAC regular season title. Tuthill threw a no-hitter against St. Joseph College in the first game of a doubleheader on April 19, and during the week held opponents to a .123 batting average (.037 with runners on base) while running her record to 15-3.

Pitcher/outfielder Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) was named the GNAC Player of the Week. Herman continued her late season surge both at the plate and on the mound leading Emerson in nearly every offensive category during the week. She batted .688 with two triples and two home runs. Her slugging percentage for the week was 1.313. Herman was 2-0 in three mound appearances and surrendered no runs (earned or unearned) in 13 innings pitched over three appearances, holding opponents to a .111 batting average (5-45), and not allowing a runner past second base.

Infielder Kendal Pieguss (FY., Suquamish, Wash.) was named to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll. Pieguss hit the first home run of her career against Lasell College and advanced runners in nine of 13 attempts during the week (.692). She hit.500 over Emerson's eight games with two doubles and the home run.

TUTHILL EARNS SECOND GNAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK NOD

For the second time this season, Emerson softball pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY., Middlefield, Conn.) has been named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. For the week ending March 29, Tuthill compiled a 3-0 record with a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Tuthill could have been 4-0 on the week, but was removed from the first game of a doubleheader with a 6-0 lead before she pitched enough innings to qualify for a win in order that she could start the second game. During the week she pitched three complete games, giving up only nine hits in 21 innings while striking out 21 and walking only four.

Teammate Bridget Farago ( Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) was named to the GNAC Honor Roll for the week. Farago led the Emerson regulars in hitting with a .579 average. the centerfielder knocked out 11 hits in 19 at bats including two doubles, a triple, and a home run. She had six RBI and a slugging percentage of .947.

TUTHILL NAMED GNAC PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Emerson College softball pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middlefield, Conn., left) began her career with a bang by being named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week for the week ending March 15. In the first five starts of her career, Tuthill compiled a 4-1 record with a 0.93 earned run average. In her first collegiate start Tuthill defeated 16th ranked University of Rochester 5-1, and three days later topped 21st ranked Ithaca College 6-5. Her only loss during the week was to sixth ranked SUNY Cortland, in a game where Emerson's offense was not able to manage a hit against Cortland's first team All-America pitcher.

Lions' season Ends on RIC No-Hitter

From Endicott College Sports Information 5/9/09

BEVERLY, Mass. – In a pitcher’s duel between Rhode Island College’s Amanda Berard and Emerson College’s Kelsey Tuthill (So., Middlefield, Conn.) the Anchorwomen walked away on top, 1-0, courtesy of a solo homerun by Donielle Mattoon in game one of the third day of the Beverly, Mass. NCAA First Round Tournament. RIC (42-6) will move on to face the winner of Endicott College and Springfield College who play in the 12:00 p.m. game today. Emerson closes out its season at 33-11 overall despite the strong pitching efforts of Tuthill.

Neither team produced much offense throughout the game as no one reached base until the bottom of the second inning when Rhode Island College’s Laura Kostenblatt singled through the right side to start the inning.

The next batter was hit by a pitch and both runners were sacrificed into scoring position but the Anchorwomen were held scoreless as Tuthill induced a popout to herself to end the threat.

Emerson received its first baserunner of the day when Kayla Jandreau dropped a third strike, allowing Jess Silva (Sr., Somerset, Mass.) to reach. Megan Kaye (Sr., Miami, Fla.) came in to pinch run and was sacrificed over to second, however Berard would not allow her to go any further, forcing a Catie McDonough (Sr., North Adams, Mass.) groundout to end the inning.

Both pitchers cruised through the next two innings of play until Mattoon came to bat in the bottom of the fifth. On a 2-2 pitch, Mattoon took the next offering and hammered a solo-homerun over the scoreboard in leftfield to give the Anchorwomen the 1-0 lead. That would be all Berard would need as she cruised through the final two innings, inducing four groundouts, a popout, and striking out the final batter she faced to advance Rhode Island College.

Berard pitched seven innings, giving up no runs, no hits, and striking out seven en route to her 16^th win of the season. Mattoon’s homerun was the sixth of the season while she went 1-for-2 on the day. Amanda Perry, and Kostenblatt picked up the other two hits for RIC.

Kelsey Tuthill was the tough-luck loser as she went six innings, giving up one run on just three hits while also striking out seven. Unfortunately for the Lions, Berard did not allow a baserunner past second base for the entire game as the only runner to reach was Silva in the third inning.

The Anchorwomen will now face the winner of Endicott and Springfield in the final game of the day on Saturday at 4p.m.

Tufts holds off Emerson in extra-innings thriller

From Endicott College Sports Information - 5/8/09

BEVERLY, Mass. – Tufts’ Danielle Lopez sent a two-run homerun to left-centerfield in the top of the ninth inning to propel the top-seeded Jumbos to a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded Emerson in NCAA Regional Tournament play on Friday afternoon in Beverly, Mass. The win improves the Jumbos’ record to a remarkable 40-1 and 2-0 in tournament play.

After five innings of scoreless softball, Tufts got on board first when Emerson committed consecutive throwing errors to open the door for the Jumbos. Samantha Kuhles dropped down a sacrifice bunt, only to have Nikki Battaglia (Jr., Freehold, N.J.) airmail the throw to first allowing Laura Chapman to score from second to take the 1-0 lead.

The Lions roared back in the home half of the sixth as Emerson’s Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) broke up Izzie Santone’s no-hit bid, reaching on an infield single. Kuhles made a diving stop on Farago’s hot shot to the right side, but Farago beat the throw to first by half a step. After the Emerson base runner stole second, Kendall Pieguss (FY, Suquamish, Wash.) singled up the middle to knot the game at 1-1.

Emerson had a chance to win the game in the seventh inning but could not capitalize off what appeared to be a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt. Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) got the threat started as she reached on a Tufts’ error, and was promptly replaced with pinch-runner Jordan Newell (FY, Palm City, Fla.). Lions’ pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middlefield, Conn.) bunted the freshman over to second as the Tufts defense retired Tuthill at first. As the throw made its way to first to put out Tuthill, Newell took two steps off second base, leaning towards third. The miscue caught the eye of the Jumbos’ defense where they threw behind Newell and caught her with the tag to escape the inning unscathed.

The game would remain tied until Lopez’s two-run blast to in the top of the ninth inning put the Jumbos ahead, 3-1. After Kuhles reached base on her second consecutive bunt single, Lopez hit the game-winning homerun to left-center field to put Tufts ahead for good.

Both pitchers went the distance as Tuthill suffered the hard-luck loss with nine strikeouts in nine innings of work. Santone struck out five batters and walked just one in the extra-innings victory. Both pitchers surrendered just four hits on the afternoon.

Tufts stays in the winner’s bracket where it will face the winner of Friday’s Coast Guard vs. Springfield College game. Emerson looks to avoid elimination as they will meet the Anchorwomen of Rhode Island College at 10a.m. on Saturday.

Battaglia Slam Lifts Lions over Endicott

From Endicott College Sports Information - 5/7/09

BEVERLY, Mass. – Emerson’s Nikki Battaglia (Jr., Freehold, N.J.) turned on a full-count
offering in the top of the second inning, launching a grand slam over the left field wall to help lift the fifth-seeded Lions to a 5-1 win over fourth-seeded Endicott in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament on Thursday afternoon in Beverly, Mass. The win moves Emerson into a Friday match-up with top-seeded Tufts University, while Endicott will now meet Husson in a loser’s bracket game on the same day.

After jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first off an RBI single from Meghan Sargent that plated leadoff hitter Jenna Lazar, the Gulls’ pitcher Jenna Bortolotti struggled to find the strike zone in the top of second. Bortolotti hit the first two batters of the frame, and then surrendered a single to Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middlefield, Conn.) to load the bases. With the count full at 3-2, Battaglia laced a bases-clearing grand slam over the left field fence to make it 4-1 in favor of the Lions.

The score would stay that way until the top of the sixth where Emerson tacked on a fifth run to take a four run lead. The Lions once again got on the board by way of the long ball, as Jilisa Rawding (So., Tewksbury, Mass.) belted a solo shot to left field.

The cushion was all pitcher Tuthill would need as the Emerson freshman improved her record to 19-5 with a complete game victory. Tuthill slowed the Endicott offense to a tune of just one run on four hits, all while striking out nine Gull batters. Bortolotti took the loss to fall to 20-4 as she went the distance allowing five runs on five hits.

Emerson will now face Tufts University, which convincingly defeated eighth-seeded Husson University, 17-1, in the day’s opening game. Start time for that contest is scheduled for 2p.m. on Friday.

Linos Drop Two to Judges

TUTHILL DOMINATES AS EMERSON MOVES TO CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

NEWTON, MASS. – Emerson pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middletown, Conn., left) struck out 16 and didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning as top seeded Emerson College defeated second seed St. Joseph’s College 3-0 in the winner’s bracket of the 2009 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.

The game was a pitcher’s dual through the first six innings with Tuthill being matched pitch for pitch by the Monks’ Madalyn Kluna. The game remained scoreless through six innings with neither team mounting a credible scoring threat, and neither team advancing a runner past second base.

In the top of the seventh for Emerson pinch hitter Christina Naramore (So., Amissville, Va.) lead off with a walk. Jordan Newell (FY, )was sent in to pinch run. Jilisa Rawding (So., Tewksbury, Mass.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Newell to second. Catie McDonough (Sr., North Adams, Mass.) followed with a single moving Newell to third. Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Kendall Piegus (FY, Suquamish, Wash.) sent a fly to shallow right field and Newell scored on a close play at the plate with McDonough and Farago advancing on the play. Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) then ripped a single to right centerfield scoring two, but was thrown out trying to stretch the base hit to a double.

Alyssa Dunn led of the St. Joseph’s seventh with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch with no outs. Tuthill then struck out the side to preserve the win and earn her 17th victory against only three defeats on the season.

Emerson will play for the championship on Sunday at 1p.m. against the winner of the St. Joseph's-Pine Manor elimination game at 11a.m. The game will be played at Mount Ida College.

Pine Manor Miscue Helps Emerson Advance

NEWTON, MASS. -- Emerson College scored the go-ahead run an a throwing error, and a Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) home run added insurance as Emerson advanced to the third round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball tournament with a 4-2 victory over Pine Manor College. The victory sets up a matchup between first seeded Emerson and second seeded St. Joseph's College.

Emerson scored first in the game as Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) lead off the bottom of the first with a single. Kendal Piegus (FY, Suquamish, Wash.) sent Farago to second with a sacrifice bunt. Farago advanced to third on a ground out, and came home on an infield single by Brittany Martin (So., Las Vegas, Nev.).

The Gators answered immediately in the top of the second as Kayla Ferrara doubled and came home on an error.

Pine Manor took a brief 2-1 lead in the fourth when Ferrara singled and advanced on a single by Kayla Nielsen. Jackie Martinez then singled through the right side scoring Ferrara.

In the he bottom of the inning Emerson's Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middletown, Conn.) led off being hit by a pitch but was forced at second on a Nikki Battaglia (Jr., Freehold, N.J.) fielder's choice. Following a fly out, Catie McDonough (Sr., North Adams, Mass.) singled through the right side moving Battaglia to second. Farago singled behind first base and Battaglia scored. Pine Manor attempted to get McDonough rounding third, but the throw was wild and McDonough scored to give Emerson a 3-2 lead.

The Lions got an insurance run in the fifth as Herman drilled a blast to straight away centerfield.

Tuthill got the victory for Emerson, her 16th of the season against only three losses. Tara Doehler took the loss for Pine Manor.

The Emerson - St. Joseph's contest is scheduled as the third game of the day in the double elimination tournament and is slated to be played at 2p.m. at Lasell College.

TUTHILL NO-HITTER STARTS LION SWEEP

BOSTON, Mass. – Emerson College softball pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (FY, Middlefield, Conn., left) twirled the first no-hitter of her collegiate career as Emerson defeated St. Joseph College 4-0 in the first game of a twin bill at the Lions’ Rotch Field. Tuthill allowed only two Bluejay runners to reach base, both on walks in the seven inning complete game.

Emerson scored three runs in the second inning to take control of the game. Tuthill began the inning by singling to center. Jilisa Rawding (So., Tewksbury, Mass.) followed with a single to right moving Tuthill to second. Following a strikeout, Rawding was safe on a fielder’s choice by Catie McDonough (Sr., North Adams, Mass.) while Tuthill advanced to third. Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) then singled to left scoring Tuthill and loading the bases. Kendal Pieguss then hit into a fielder’s choice with Rawding out attempting to come home but moving McDonough to third and Farago to second. Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) then singled to right field plating two more Lion runners. The Lions got an insurance run in the fifth when Tuthill tripled and scored on a wild pitch.

In the second game Emerson jumped on the board early with three runs in the first on RBI’s by Tuthill, Jess Silva (Sr., Somerset, Mass.) and Nikki Battaglia (Jr., Freehold, N.J.). The Lions put the game away with seven runs in the fourth including five unearned.

Herman got the victory for Emerson pitching three innings, while Dennenberg cleaned up the final two innings.

Emerson will open its quest for the GNAC Tournament championship and the Conference’s automatic bid too.

Lions Cop GNAC Regular Season Title with Sweep

BOSTON, Mass. -- Emerson College clinched the Great Northeast Athletic Conference regular season title with a 15-0 defeat of Albertus Magnus College in the first game of a doubleheader at Emerson’s Rotch Field. The Lions (27-7, 19-3 GNAC) also earned a second game shutout.

Jess Silva (Sr., Somerset, Mass.) led the Lions offensively with a 3-6 day with a home run. Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) and Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) also had four baggers for the Lions.

Herman and Annie Denenberg (So., Takoma Park, Md.) combined for a near perfect game in the nightcap with Herman pitching three perfect innings and Denenberg allowing only a hard single off her glove with two outs in the fifth.

With the win, the Lions become the top seed in the upcoming GNAC tournament next Friday, Saturday and Sunday with times and sites to be determined.

LIONS INCH CLOSER TO TITLE WITH SWEEP OF LASELL

Kendal Pieguss NEWTON, Mass. – Emerson College took one step closer to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference softball regular season title with a sweep of second place Lasell College. The Lions took the first game by a 10-2 count halted in the sixth inning by the mercy rule, and then took the night cap with a 5-2 win.

Kendal Pieguss (FY, Suquamish, Wash.) and Sierra Wood (So., Torrance, Calif.) were the hitting stars for the Lions. Pieguss was 5-8 in the twin bill with the first home run of her Emerson career in the first game and a double. Wood was 6-8 on the day including a perfect 4-4 with a double in game 2.

Kelsey Tuthill (FY., Middlefield, Conn.) pitched the win in the first game allowing only one earned run in five innings pitched. She also picked up a save in game two. Sara Murray (FY, Auburn, N.H.) mopped up in game one and got the win in game two.

The Lions next play at home on Saturday against Albertus Magnus College in a 12:30p.m. doubleheader.

Lions Sweep Into GNAC Top Spot

BOSTON, MASS. – Emerson College (23-7, 15-3 Great Northeast Athletic Conference) took over sole possession of first place in the GNAC softball standings with a 5-1 and 3-0 doubleheader sweep of Pine Manor College (15-13, 13-5 GNAC).

Kesley Tuthill (FY, Middlefield, Conn.) and Lynn Herman (So., Boca Raton, Fla.) were both the pitching and hitting stars in the twinbill. Tuthill tossed a complete game victory in the first game and knocked in what proved to be the winning run. Herman, making her first mound appearance on over a month, allowed only two harmless singles to the Gators and slammed a line drive home run in the second game to give her all the runs she would need.

Emerson’s Bridget Farago (Jr., Oneonta, N.Y.) got the Emerson offense started in the first game as she tripled to lead off the bottom of the first. She came home on a fielder’s choice.

Pine Manor tied the game in the top of the fourth inning as Kayla Ferrara hit a line drive home run to right center field.

Emerson came back in the top of the fifth as Farago and Kendal Pieguss (FY, Suquamish, Wash.) singled. Following a flyout to centerfield, Sierra Wood (So., Torrance, Calif.) moved the runners over on a grounder to second base. Tuthill then singled in Farago and Peiguss. The Lions added two insurance runs in the sixth.

The second game was all Herman. She allowed only three baserunners and no Gator runner advanced beyond second base. She did not walk a batter.

Following a Nikki Bataglia (Jr., Freehold, N.J.) single with one out in the second inning, Herman drilled her home run to right center. The Lions added an insurance run in the fifth when Farago and Pieguss walked, then moved up on a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt by Jill Vallecorsa (Jr., Latham, N.Y.) brought Farago home with the third run.

Emerson’s next game is a GNAC doubleheader scheduled for Friday afternoon at Lasell College at 3p.m.

Lions Split Neighborhood Battle with Rams

Lions Sweep Cadets on Frigid Afternoon

Late Emerson Rally Defeats Babson

Tuthill Flirts With Perfection in Win Over Lesley

Lions Earn Split with Sharks

Emerson's Shut out streak reaches 4 with 5-0 and 9-0 wins

Lions Post Pair of Shutouts Over Emmanuel

Lions Get GNAC Split at Mount Ida

Lions Shutout Johnson & Wales Twice

Monks Miscues lead To Emerson Sweep

lions Drub UMass Boston, 9-1

Lions Shut Out Wisconsin Lutheran, 10-0

Emerson Edges Pitt Bradford, 3-2

Lions Lose Nailbiter to Penn State -Behrend

Emerson Brushes by Sage, 11-0

#21 Ithaca Falls to Lions, 6-5

Emory Rolls Over Lions, 12-1

#6 Red Dragons No-Hit Emerson, 4-0