Clermont, FL (March 17, 2024) – The Golden Bears took the field in Florida, looking to rebound from the two tough losses on day one. They would not have much luck during game one as they fell 3-0 to No. 22 Millikin University, whose pitcher, Kelsey Bruno, threw a two-hit shutout against the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears would get a run in game two but would lose 2-1 to Wesleyan University on a walk-off single by Waverly Smart. Cardinals' pitcher Kelly Baker only let up two hits in the win.

Game 1: Millikin 3, Western New England 0

The Golden Bears and Big Blue took the field in Florida. Riley Kane pitched for the Golden Bears, with Kelsey Bruno in the circle for Millikin University. Neither pitcher gave up a hit in the first inning. The second inning saw Big Blue get a hit, but no runs, and the Golden Bears went down one, two, three. In the third inning, Big Blue picked up a run after Rylee Blake stole home after the Golden Bear catcher tried to catch the Millikin runner on first, stealing second. It was 1-0 Big Blue. The Golden Bears would stay hitless in the bottom of the third. The fourth saw Millikin University get a hit but no runs. Kailey Carrano would get the first hit for the Golden Bears with a single into center field. They would not score, though. Big Blue doubled their lead in the top of the fifth inning after an error from the Golden Bear shortstop. With runners on second and third, Lanie Chizmark scored on the error, and it was 2-0, Millikin University.

The Golden Bears would have runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the fifth. However, Kelsey Bruno struck out three Golden Bear batters in a row to keep the shutout alive for Big Blue. In the top of the sixth inning, Millikin University would load the bases, and with two outs, Rylee Blake slapped a single to left field, and Emily Kobel scored to make it 3-0 Millikin University. Kailey Carrano started the bottom of the sixth with a double to deep left field. WNE would leave a runner on base, and the game would stay 3-0. The seventh inning saw Kane sit Big Blue down in order. The Golden Bears had last at-bats but could not get a hit, and Big Blue took down the Golden Bears 3-0.

Around the Diamond:

• The Golden Bears were led by Kailey Carrano, who went two for three.
• Carrano had the only extra-base hit, with a double to left field, off the fence.
• Big Blue was led by Rylee Blake, Anna Enlow, and Kendallyn Davison, who each went two for three.
• Lanie Chizmark had the only extra-base hit for Big Blue. It was a double.
• Kelsey Bruno earned the win with a two-hit shutout performance from the pitching circle.
• Big Blue beat the Golden Bears 3-0.

Game 2: Wesleyan 2, Western New England 1

The Golden Bears stayed on the same field as game one and took on Wesleyan University. Ava Blanchard and Kelly Baker were the pitchers for WNE and Wesleyan University, respectively. Taylor Keegan started the game for the Golden Bears with a double. However, after advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt, Keegan would not get home as Baker would get out of the inning having a strikeout. The Cardinals had two quick singles to start the first inning, but Blanchard would get the next three batters out to keep the game scoreless. The Golden Bears had bases loaded with three outs in the top of the second but no runs once again. Blanchard sent the Cardinals down one, two, three. The third inning saw the Golden Bears get two runners on but no runs, and in the bottom of the inning, the Cardinals went down in order, one, two, three again. The top of the fourth saw the Golden Bears get another runner into scoring position, but, unfortunately, they could not get the runner home. The bottom of the fourth saw the Cardinals load the bases with two outs. However, Blanchard stood in there and got the final out. After the Golden Bears went down in order to start the fifth inning, the Cardinals would get the game's first run. The Golden Bear left fielder dropped the ball, and that brought Lizzie Marino home to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead after five innings. The Golden Bears would answer by scoring a run in the top of the sixth. Alex Ferriouolo went to third on a ball that got away from the catcher. The Cardinals' catcher would grab the ball and quickly send it to third, but the ball got away and into the outfield, and the Golden Bears were on the board. Unfortunately, the Golden Bears could not capitalize after that, and the score stayed 1-1. Blanchard would keep the score tied at one in the bottom of the sixth by getting the Cardinals to all hit into outs. Finally, the seventh saw the Golden Bears get a runner on but get caught in a double play by the Cardinals. Then, in the bottom of the seventh, Waverly Smart hit a walk-off single off the pitcher's glove and into left field. Rebecca Cassel-Siskind would score, and the Cardinals won 2-1. 

Around the Diamond:

• The Golden Bears were led by Taylor Keegan, who went one for two with a walk, and Alex Ferriouolo, who went one for one with two walks.
• Taylor Keegan had the lone extra-base hit for the Golden Bears. It was a double.
• The Cardinals were led by Lizzie Marino and Waverly Smart, who went two for three and two for four, with an RBI, respectively.
• Kelly Baker won the game and only gave up two hits, no earned runs, and had four strikeouts.
• The Cardinals won the game 2-1.

Up Next:

• The Golden Bears are back on the field tomorrow, Monday, March 18, 2024, at 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM. They take on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Wellesley College, respectively.
• Millikin University will play Tufts University and SUNY Plattsburg tomorrow, Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:00 AM and 3:15 PM, respectively. Wesleyan University will play Carlton College and Endicott College at 10:00 AM and 12:15 PM, respectively tomorrow, Monday, March 18, 2024.