The women’s softball team was back in action this past weekend versus NESCAC West opponent Middlebury. The first of the three-game series took place on the road in Vermont on Friday, April 13. The Panther’s pitching struck out nine Cardinal batters and shut down the usually spectacular hitting of the Lady Cards. The only player to earn a hit  was Chrissy Bello ’12, who singled to left field in the fourth inning. Due to the lack of offensive pressure, the Cardinals succumbed to their hosts in a 5-0 shutout.

The Cardinals were back in action the next day facing Middlebury once again, this time with two games and multiple NESCAC points on the line. In the first contest of the day, the Lady Cards opened the game with a single from Allee Beatty ’13, who then stole second base, but was caught trying to steal third. The score remained 0-0 until the top of the third inning, when the Panthers opened the floodgates, building a 12-0 lead on seven hits. The Lady Cards responded with a single from Jill Gately ’15 and a double from Bello to drive Gately home, but the margin was just too great and the game was called after five innings.

The last game in the Middlebury series was unequivocally the most heart wrenching. With precious playoff points resting on the result of this game, the Lady Cards were determined to make a statement in their final contest versus the Panthers. The Cardinals were first to score at the bottom of the third inning. Beatty singled to center field then stole second base. Tori Redding ’13 singled to center field, bringing home Amy Lindland ’14 who had walked, and Beatty. The Panthers cut their deficit 2-1 at the top of the third inning, and then tied the game 2-2 at the top of the sixth inning. The score remained tied at two apiece until the top of the seventh inning, when Middlebury picked up two hits and drew two walks to earn its decisive third run. The game ended with a disappointing 3-2 loss for Wesleyan after such a hard-fought battle.

The Lady Cards look to score some all-important NESCAC points this Wednesday, April 18, when they face Trinity College in a double-header.