MIDDLEBURY, VT. – The Wesleyan softball team was downed in both of their games against Middlebury Saturday afternoon. The two games originally supposed to be played in Middletown got moved to Vermont due to inclement weather. The Panthers jumped out to a 5-1 advantage through two innings of play in game number one. Middlebury added three insurance runs in the top of the 7^th to reach the final score of 8-1. In game two the Panthers once again jumped out to an early lead, going up 3-0 through three innings of play. They would grow that lead to 5-0 before Wesleyan fought their way back at 5-3 in the 6th. The Cards would not be able to come all the way back, falling 5-3. Middlebury improves to 17-13 (6-8 NESCAC), while the Cardinals fall to 11-21 (1-13 NESCAC).
 
GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS (8-1 LOSS)

• The offenses got going early in game number one, starting with the Panthers who were able to push across three runs in the opening half-inning on four hits. The Cardinals fought back in the bottom half of the inning, opening with a Hannah Docktor '24 double. After a pair of fly outs, Isabella Secaira-Cotto '25 delivered a single that brough home Docktor and got Wesleyan on the board at 3-1
• Middlebury continued their hot start with two more runs in the 2^nd on two hits and a Wesleyan error. Jewel Ashbrook and Kelly Baker '26 then dueled over the next four innings, each holding their opposing offenses without a run to hold the game at 3-1 entering the final frame
• The Panthers then got the bats going again in the 7^th to add three insurance runs on four hits, taking a commanding 8-1 lead going into the final half inning of play. Ciara Castillo '23 recorded a hit in the 7^th, but that was all as the Panthers took game one 8-1

 
NOTES:

• Docktor (2-for-4, R, 2B) was the only Cardinal with multiple hits. She has now done this in seven games this season
• Secaira-Cotto (1-for-3, RBI) continues to drive in runs, adding to her team-leading 22 RBIs
• Th Cardinals were outhit by the Panthers 10-6

 
GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS (5-3 LOSS)

• Middlebury opened with some early runs again in game two, adding one in the opening frame. A double followed by an RBI-groundout got the job done to lead 1-0. Wesleyan managed a runner on in the bottom half but couldn't score. The Panthers added some more in the 3^rd on three hits to take an early 3-0 lead going into the 4^th inning of play
• Mid wasn't done as a two-run home run down the right field line pushed their lead to the largest of the game at 5-0. Wesleyan finally found their offense in the bottom of the 6^th. Lizzie Marino '25 led off with a single followed by a Docktor single and Alexis Campbell '22 walk to load the bases with just one down. Secaira-Cotto delivered the big hit of the inning, sending a triple over the right fielder's head to clear the bases and put the Cards right back in the game at 5-3. After that threat was ended by Middlebury, Wes had one more chance in the 7^th. Cards got two on in the final frame, but couldn't push any across and Mid came away with their 2^nd win of the day

 
NOTES:

• Brooklin Williams '23 (3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, K) came in relief and pitched three scoreless innings to give the Cardinals a chance down the stretch. She also got a hit in the final frame, finishing 1-for-2 for the game
• Secaira-Cotto (1-for-3, 3B, 3 RBIs) continues to drive in runs for the Cards, contributing a base-clearing triple for Wesleyan's only three runs of the game. Her three RBIs is tied for the 2^nd most for her on the season
• Wesleyan was outhit by Middlebury 9-6

 
UP NEXT:
The Cardinals DH against Colby tomorrow April 30^th was postponed. There next game will now most likely be a home non-conference double-header against Westfield State on Tuesday May 2^nd at 3:30 and 5:30 pm.