Amherst softball holds off Trine, advances at NCAA Division III National Championship

By MATT VAUTOUR

@MattVautourDHG

Published: 05-25-2017 10:04 PM

After seven scoreless innings, the Amherst College softball team’s offense broke out in the top of the eighth before its defense held on in the bottom of the inning.

The Mammoths advanced to the winners’ bracket of the Division III National Championship with a 4-3 win over Trine, Thursday at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

“It got a little bit scarier than we wanted, but obviously we’ll take the end result,” Amherst coach Jessica Johnson said.

The Mammoths will face defending champion Texas-Tyler (45-4), Friday at approximately 7:30 p.m. depending on how quickly the game before progresses. Trine will face Virginia Wesleyan in an elimination game at noon.

“Our legs are under us. I think we realize that it doesn’t matter where we’re playing or who we’re playing against, we just have to do the same stuff,” Johnson said. ”

Amherst starter Gina Pagan didn’t allow a hit through the first four innings and had her bid for a gem broken up by a two-out single to left in the fifth. The Mammoths got runners to second and third in the fourth, but couldn’t push them across.

Amherst got two runners on again in the top of the seventh with one out, but pinch runner Sara Buck got caught stealing third, stunting the rally. Trine used a single and a walk to put two runners on with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Pagan kept the ball in the infield, inducing a pair to ground outs to force extra innings.

After Lauren Trusk was hit by a pitch, Sammy Salustri walked and Kyra Naftel reached on a bunt single to load the bases with nobody out. Kate Kopatic drew a walk to force the game’s first run. Alena Marovitz’ foul out to deep left allowed Salustri to tag and score to make to 2-0.

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A fielder’s choice cut down Naftel at third, but a Julia Turner walk reloaded the bases. Ally Kido doubled the Amherst lead with a two-run single to center.

The bottom of the eighth resembled the top as Pagan walked and hit a batter to open the frame. A ground out advanced runners to second and third and a single to right by Carly Bachna brought them both home. Bachna moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Catherine Porter’s single to make it 4-3, ending Pagan’s day.

Amherst has used Lorena Ukanwa effectively in relief all year and she came in to attempt to nail down her biggest save of the season.

Porter scooted to second on a wild pitch. Turner’s diving catch in center field brought Amherst within an out of victory. It also likely saved a run and possibly the game as Porter retreated to second.

“That was probably the most memorable (defensive play) this season,” Johnson said. “The best part was she got right up and threw it in to hold the runner.”

Erica Robles beat out a bunt single as Porter moved up to third. Robles then stole second putting the potential tying and winning runs in scoring position.

But Ukanwa got Emily White to pop out to second to seal the win.

Ukanwa earned her sixth save. Johnson said using her in late-game situations has been valuable.

“It’s apples to oranges or even apples to watermelons going from Gina to Lorena,” Johnson said. “They’re two different pitchers. For a hitter, making that adjustment in a late-inning situation is very hard.”

Among those cheering Amherst’s success Thursday afternoon was Williams College. When the rivals aren’t facing each other, they’re rooting for each other and the Ephs coaches and players showed up to cheer for the Mammoths.

“They were cheering us on. It was awesome,” Johnson said. “I don’t think it gets any better than that. To have two from the same conference is pretty awesome. We’ll be there rooting them on.”

Williams lost 2-0 St. John Fisher Thursday night.

Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com.

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