WNE Drops Non-Conference Doubleheader to Amherst in Regular Season Finale

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 27, 2016) - The Western New England University softball team dropped a pair of non-conference contests to Amherst College this afternoon at Golden Bear Softball Park. Western New England fought back to force extra innings in the opener, but fell 9-6, before dropping an 11-2 decision in game two.
 
Amherst 9, Western New England 6 (8 Innings)
The Golden Bears rallied from deficits in both the sixth and seventh innings, but Amherst plated three runs in the top of the eighth and held on to take game one.
 
Trailing 5-2 after five innings, Western New England put together a three-run rally in the bottom of the sixth to tie the score. The first three Golden Bears that came to the plate reached base, but Amherst got two quick outs and nearly escaped from the jam.
 
Junior Gabby Lavinio (Dalton, Mass.) worked a bases loaded walk, however, and classmate Corianna DeLisi (Tuxedo, N.Y.) followed with a two-run single to center field to tie the contest.
 
Amherst regained a one-run lead in the seventh, as freshman Kyra Naftel (Santa Clarita, Calif.) led off with a triple before coming in to score on a single by junior Alena Marovitz (Northbrook Ill.).
 
Western New England was able to overcome its second late-inning deficit of the game in the bottom half of the inning, when senior McKenzie Pezze (Albany, N.Y.) led off with a solo home run over the center field fence. Pezze, who hit her first career homer last Tuesday at Wesleyan, now has four over the past eight days.
 
Amherst responded with three runs in the top of the eighth, and the visitors did not relinquish the lead this time. After loading the bases, a catcher interference call allowed the go-ahead run to score. Marovitz followed with a two-run double down the left field line, giving Amherst a 9-6 lead.
 
Sophomore Gina Pagan (Orinda, Calif.) retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning, improving to 6-3 with the win in the process. Pagan pitched the final three innings for Amherst, striking out five batters and allowing four runs (one earned).
 
Senior Heidi Grieger (Hyde Park, N.Y.) got the start for the Golden Bears, dropping to 13-6 with the loss.
 
DeLisi led Western New England at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBI, while Pezze went 2-for-4 with a triple, a homer and two RBI.
 
Amherst 11, Western New England 2 (6 Innings)
Amherst jumped out to an early lead in game two and didn't look back, securing the doubleheader sweep.
 
The visitors used aggressive baserunning to plate two quick runs in the top of the first, and freshman Sara Buck (Hawaii, Hi.) doubled Amherst's advantage with a two-run shot later in the frame. Marovitz then delivered a two-run double to right center in the second inning, increasing the lead to 6-0.
 
Amherst starting pitcher Jackie Buechler (San Diego, Calif.) was dominant in the circle early, retiring the first 12 batters she faced before Pezze spoiled her perfect game bid with a leadoff homer in the fifth, her second of the day.
 
Junior Katie Wood (Westport, Mass.) also blasted a solo shot in the inning, pulling the Golden Bears back to within six (8-2), but Amherst tacked on three runs in the top of the sixth to bring the game to an early end.
 
Western New England (22-16, 15-3 CCC), which secured the top seed and a first round bye in the upcoming CCC Tournament, will open play at home next Monday.