It was an impressive homecoming for both the baseball and softball teams Friday, as both squads fought past Bates to start the divisional schedule on the right foot - the baseball team squeaking by the Bobcats 4-2, while the softball team won more convincingly 8-1.
Both efforts were spearheaded by junior hurlers who held their NESCAC opponents at bay for a combined 13 innings. Their performances did not go unnoticed by the rest of the league, as the NESCAC named juniors Adam Telian and Erica Bailey NESCAC Pitcher of the Week today.
Telian kept the struggling offense in the game early on, surrendering just one run on six hits in six innings, while fanning 11. Improving his record to 2-0, Telian is near the top of the team in the major pitching categories, posting an impressive ERA, while holding his opponents to a .188 batting average in 22 innings pitched. After leaving the game, Telian was supported by a relief corps of senior Carlos Lopez, junior Jason Protano, and senior tri-captain Brian Casey, all of whom hurled one inning to preserve the lead.
Bailey was even more dominant in her effort. In the complete-game victory, Bailey surrendered just three hits and one earned run to improve her team's mark to 9-4 and notch its first NESCAC victory. With the Jumbo offense stumbling out of the gate against Bates senior Kristin Masino, who held the potent lineup scoreless through the game's first two frames, Bailey's performance on the mound was all the more important.
-by Rachel Dolin
