PORTSMOUTH, NH (YSCC) - NHTI won back to back Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) championships in softball yesterday by beating Central Maine Community College in the semifinals 13-0 in a 5 innings. In the other semifinal College of St. Joseph's (VT) beat Southern Maine Community College by a score of 7-1. Then NHTI came come from behind again to beat College of St. Joseph's (VT) in the championship game 5-2.

Championship Game: #1 NHTI 5 #2 CSJ 2

NHTI had to come back from behind for the 2nd time in 3 days to beat CSJ 5-2, but this time there were much more serious marbles to deal with. This was the YSCC Championship game.

CSJ lead the game off in the 1st inning with a towering two-run home run to centerfield by Timell Montgomery (San Diego, CA).

NHTI started to rally in the 4th inning by scoring three runs on two hits and 2 CSJ errors.

In the 5th, NHTI got two more runs to extend the lead to 5-2. Brianna Whitcomb (Epsom, N.H) was 2 for 3 at the plate with 2 RBI and one run scored. Taylor Gagnon (Goffstown, N.H.), Briana Connolly (Allenstown, N.H.), and Danyel McNicholas (Raymond, N.H.) got the other three hits for NHTI.

Montgomey and Jaeger were both 2 for 3 for CSJ.

NHTI's Danyel McNicholas earned the Defensive Player of the Tournament. CSJ's Sierra Jaeger received Offensive Player of the Tournament. The MVP of the Tournament went to NHTI's Tori Lemay who struck out 8 CSJ batters in the championship game to improve to 17-3.

Jenna Crowley got the loss for CSJ who finished the season with a 17-19 record.

Now the Lynx wait until Monday at 5 pm to see who they will be paired up within the first round of the USCAA Small College World Series, being held in DuBois, Pennsylyania from May 13th to the 17th.

Semifinal #1: #1 NHTI 13 #4 CMCC 0 (5 innings)

NHTI scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning and never looked back as they beat Central Maine Community College 13-0 in 5 innings in the 1st semifinal of the YSCC Softball Championships.
Masha Lange (Plaistow, NH) was 3 for 4 for the Lynx with a double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Elizabeth DeVoss (Londonderry, NH) was 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and 1 run scored. The Lynx had 15 hits on 13 runs. Tori Lemay pitched a one-hitter complete game shutout for the Lynx while striking out 11 Mustangs batters to improve to 16-3 on the season.
The only bright spot for the Mustangs was Alex Bessey (Jay, ME) who had a double for the only hit for the Mustangs. Olivia York (Bethel, ME) was the losing pitcher of record. The Mustangs finish the season with a 4-9 record.

Semifinal #2: #2 CSJ 7 #3 SMCC 1

College of St. Joseph's softball team defeated Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) 7-1 in the 2nd Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) semifinal matchup on Saturday, May 5. CSJ pitcher McKenzie Ebert (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) threw a complete game with three strikeouts in the high-stakes contest.

The win puts the Lady Saints in the YSCC championship game along with NHTI, who defeated Central Maine CC in the 1sts semifinal of the day.

SMCC scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning by Meranda Martin (Richmond, ME) who scored on an error by CSJ 1st baseman. CSJ went scoreless in their next two chances at the plate and trailed 1-0 for two straight innings.

Then came the third inning, wherein the Lady Saints recorded two hits and three runs to take control of the game. Sierra Jaeger (Weedsport, N.Y.) recorded a single and joined Arielys Rodriguez (Miami, FL) on base. Rodriguez walked to reach base, stole second, and made it to third base on Jaeger's single to left center field.

Timell Montgomery (San Diego, CA) reached first base on an error by the Seawolves' center fielder and both Rodriguez and Jaeger were able to score on the play, giving the Saints a 2-1 lead. Next to the plate was Shelby Fenton (Troy, N.Y.), whose single to right field scored Montgomery and put CSJ up 3-1.

The Lady Saints scored two runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to earn the 7-1 victory. Jaeger put on one of her best performances at the plate, which included a two-run homer in the sixth inning. She finished with three hits, three RBI and two runs. First-year player Ebert earned the win on the pitcher's mound.

SMCC was led by Kristen Mackenzie (Seabrook, N.H.), Kahli Philibotte (Hooksett, N.H.), and Martin who each had 2 hits on the day. Mackenzie got charged the loss after going 3 and 2/3 innings after giving up 5 runs (3 unearned) while allowing 7 hits walking a batter while also striking out 2 Fighting Saints batters.

The Seawolves finish the season with a record of 20-15.

2018 YSCC Softball Championships