Elms defeats Thomas for NAC softball title

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Senior Kristi Guzzo allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out four to earn a 2-0 win over Thomas College to give Elms College the North Atlantic Conference softball championship Saturday.

Thomas of Waterville had edged Castleton State 1-0 to advance to the title game.

In the championship game, Lauren Stauch singled and had an RBI sacrifice for Elms. Guzzo and Karyn Palomba each scored a run.

Elms earned its second NAC championship in four years and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship.

Jennifer Higgins, Kayla Beaudoin, Joy Ireland and Kim Denbow singled for Thomas.

In the semifinal, Ireland hit an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to drive in Brittany Morin and give Thomas the win. Brittany Oxley also singled.

Ireland pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out five, before Nikki Smith pitched a perfect seventh, striking out the side, to earn the win.

Anita Dixon tripled for Castleton.

(Championship Game)

Thomas (21-21) 000 000 0 – 0 4 1

Elms (27-10) 200 000 x – 2 4 1

Smith, Ireland (4) and Beaudoin; Guzzo and Smith

(Semifinal Game)

Castleton (17-17) 000 000 0 – 0 2 2

Thomas 000 000 1 – 1 2 0

Carpenter, Robitaille (7) and Marion; Ireland, Smith (7) and Beaudoin