Johnson State College swept the Green Mountain College Eagles during Friday’s North Atlantic Conference (NAC) contest. The Badgers snap their skid and advance to 8-14 on the year, 5-9 NAC while GMC slips to 0-26 overall, 0-14 NAC. The Badgers used a five-run first inning to take and then keep the lead in game one.
Also game one, Johnson put five runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning, knocked three in during the second and saw two runners cross home plate to secure the 10-0 win. Alex Bean (St. Albans, Vt. / Milton) went 3-for-2 with one run while infielder Emily Comins (Orleans, Vt. / Lake Region) went 2-for-2 with a home run to help key the victory for the Badgers. Andrea Williams (Thornburn, Nova Scotia / North Nova) hurled for the Badgers four innings allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out four and picked up the win for Johnson. Kristy McDonnell (Quechee,Vt. / Hartford) relieved Williams during the fifth and final stanza allowing one hit and striking out two.
Casey McGill (King of Prussia, Pa. / Upper Merion) and Althea Wunderler-Selby (West Kingston, R.I. / South Kingston) each earned one hit for the Eagles, accounting for Green Mountain’s only hits. Amber Heath (Windsor, Vt. / Windsor) tossed four innings, giving up six hits and 10 runs, walked six and striking out one.
Johnson used the first inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead and never look back. After two bunts, Bean came home to get the ball rolling for the Badgers. After a double from Williams, Katja Langmaid (Enosburg Falls,Vt. / Enosburg) plated, bringing the score to 3-0. With the bases loaded, Emily Himberg (Williston, Vt. / Champlain Valley Union) reached first on an error bringing Comins and Williams home, closing out the inning shortly after 5-0 Johnson had the advantage.
Johnson used the bottom of the second to knock in three more runners, driving the score to 8-0. Both pitchers held the teams scoreless during the third inning. Still scoreless, the Badgers brought in their last two runners, sealing 9 10-0 win for the hosts.
The Badgers only continued their momentum, taking the second of two wins 16-0 after a stellar performance from Langmaid and Senior Megan Russ (Burlington, Vt. / Burlington). Russ went the distance for Johnson picking up the win by striking out five and allowing three one hit, not walking a batter and allowing zero hits. Freshman Connor Kelsey (Grand Isle, Vt / Colchester) stepped in to mop up in the last two innings allowing just one hit and walking one batter before closing out the contest. The offense was paced by sophomore outfielder Katja Langmaid (Enosburg Falls, Vt./Enosburg) who went 4-for-4 with four runs.
Hurler Chelsea Paul (Northville, N.Y. / Northville Central) was saddled with the loss, pitching three innings with 15 hits, 14 runs allowed and walking four while striking out one batter before being relieved by Hayley Provost who threw for the remaining inning. Provost allowed three hits, two runs while walking and striking out one batter. In a repeat performance of the first game, McGill and Wunderler-Selby each earned one hit for the Eagles, accounting for Green Mountains only hits.
After a single from Bean and a double from McCullock, the Badgers were on the board taking a 1-0 lead. Langmaid then singled and then advanced to second on an error allowing McCullock to score followed shortly by Langmaid giving the Badgers a 3-0 lead.
The Badgers used a seven run second inning to seal their victory in five innings.
