Lady Knights Swept by Badgers

JOHNSON, Vt. -

Johnson State College took both ends of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon defeating Vermont Tech 14-5 in five innings in game one and taking game two 11-3, also in five innings. Johnson improves to 6-12 overall while VTC slips to 0-5.

Game One: Johnson 14, Vermont Tech 5 (5 Innings)

In game one Johnson senior Morgan Rogerson (Hardwick, Vt./Hazen) went 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI's to spark the Badgers to a 14-5 five-inning win.  Nine of 10 JSC batters connected on hits in the game with Amber McCullock (Morrisville, Vt./Peoples) going 3-for-3 with three runs and an RBI.

Meagan Russ (Burlington, Vt./Burlington) pitched all five innings for Johnson allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out four.

VTC's Elise Coolbeth (Wolcott, Vt.) went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBI to key their offensive attack while Abby Fusco (East Montpelier, Vt.) suffered the losing pitching decision surrendering 15 hits and 12 earned runs and striking out one.

The Badgers scored two, three, four, and five runs in consecutive innings en route to the win. 

Game Two:  Johnson 11, Vermont Tech 3 (5 Innings)

Johnson freshman pitcher Kristy McDonnell (Quechee, Vt./Hartford) did not allow a hit over five innings to earn the winning pitching decision for the Badgers despite struggling with her control.  McDonnell did allow four walks and hit four batters but was able to come up with three strikeouts and a sharp defense took care of the rest.

Sophomore centerfielder Amber McCullock (Morrisville, Vt./Peoples) went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored to go with a run-saving, sliding catch to end the top of the fifth inning.  Senior Morgan Rogerson (Hardwick, Vt./Hazen) went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI, sophomore Emily Himberg (Williston, Vt./Champlain Valley) went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI, and junior Tanya Randall (Fryeburg, Maine/Fryeburg) went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.

VTC saw senior shortstop Abby Fusco (East Montpelier, Vt.) score a pair of runs as she reached base three times, being hit twice and walking once.  Elise Coolbeth (Wolcott, Vt.) and Rachel Noyes (Bethel, Vt.) each drove in runs with a fielder's choice. 

Noyes took the loss in the circle pitching four and 1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits, nine earned runs, and walking four.

Over Easter weekend, April 7th and 8th, the Lady Knights take on the Falcons of Fisher College and the the Owls of the University of Maine-Presque Isle on the road in Boston, MA.