MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury College softball team dropped a three-game set to NESCAC West rival Williams this past weekend and dropped to 1-4 for the season. The Ephs improved to 6-0. The Panthers will look to bounce back this weekend, when they visit Wesleyan for two games on Saturday and then host the Cardinals on Sunday for a 2 p.m. game.
The closest game of this past weekend came at Williams on Sunday, when the Ephs rallied with two runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings to edge the Panthers, 4-3
Middlebury scored twice in the first inning. Sophie Bolinger and Sophia Marlino walked, and Noelle Ruschil singled to load the bases. A Melanie Mandell single scored the runs.
Williams tied the game in the sixth on a Gabi Cirigliano homer and Dacia Green RBI single, but the Panthers retook the lead in the top of the seventh on a Jen McGann single and Mandell double. 
But the Ephs strung four singles together in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with the victory.
Jewel Ashbrook took the loss for the Panthers despite a strong 6.1 innings. Madison Mok earned the win for Williams in relief.
On Saturday, the Ephs swept the host Panthers, 3-0 and 4-0. Ashbrook kept the Ephs off the board through five innings in the opener, but the Ephs broke through late. Ashbrook allowed two earned runs on six hits, and Emily Moore, Ruschil and Kaylee Gumm poked hits for the Panthers off winning pitcher Kirstin Mapes.
In the nightcap, Williams scored twice in the fourth and twice in the fifth off losing pitcher Chloe McNamara, who allowed two earned runs on eight hits.
Bolinger and Marlino each singled twice for the Panthers, and Moore doubled off winning pitcher Maya Hartman.