SOFTBALL

NEWTON CENTRE, Mass. -The Norwich University softball team swept a GNAC doubleheader from Mount Ida on Saturday afternoon, winning by scores of 6-3 and 11-5.

The Cadets, who are trying to sneak into the upcoming conference tournament, improve to 17-15 (13-11 GNAC), while the Mustangs fall to 9-25 (7-15 GNAC).

Norwich opened the scoring in game one, tallying one run in the top of the first inning. Mount Ida came right back with two runs in the bottom of the first to grab a 2-1 edge.

After a scoreless second inning, the Cadets came out swinging in the third with back-to-back doubles by Codi Collins and Marley Balasco. Balasco's two-base hit drove in Collins, and Balasco scored later in the frame on a fielder's choice to take a 3-2 advantage into the fourth inning.

Norwich increased its lead in the fifth inning, scoring three more runs. Collins started the rally with another double, and later came around to score on a Lindsey Fickett single. Lindsay Carey and Seana Ellsworth also drove in runs during the inning as the Cadets pushed their lead to 6-2.

Mackenzie Pratt got the win in the circle, allowing just three earned runs. The freshman struck out five and only walked two.

Collins and Whitney Grennon each went 3-for-3 at the plate, and they combined to score four of the team's six runs.

Norwich jumped all over Mount Ida in the second game, scoring single runs in the first and second innings, before exploding for five in the third and three more in the fourth.

Grennon led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, four runs batted in and three runs scored. Carey went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.

Pratt got the win in game two as well, pitching 6.1 innings of shutout ball.

Norwich returns to action on Sunday, April 20, when the Cadets travel to Standish, Maine, to take on GNAC rival St. Joseph's (Maine) in a crucial conference doubleheader. Game one is set to get under way at 1 p.m.