Softball Swept by Springfield College in Cross-Town Action

Springfield, Mass. (April 4, 2023) – WNE took a trip to the other side of Springfield for a much-anticipated doubleheader against the Pride of Springfield College. The first game saw Springfield jump out to an early 3-0 lead and keep it going to win 8-1. Then, the second game saw WNE stay close but let up two runs in the fifth inning, which led two Springfield winning 2-0 and sweeping the doubleheader.

Game 1: Springfield College 8, Western New England 1

Riley Kane got the start in the circle for game 1. Kane entered the game with a 2-2 record, hoping to push that record above .500. The Golden Bears were uncharacteristically held to zero runs in the first inning. The Pride took advantage and saw Amelia DeRosa slap a double into left field, bringing Mackenzie Doyle home. Then, Michaela Ponticello hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Amelia DeRosa past home plate. Finally, Breannah McCann singled to left and got Carissa Pecchia through the plate. The score was 3-0 Springfield after one inning of play. The Pride got two more in the second off an Amelia DeRosa inside-the-park homerun. That scored two and put the lead up to 5-0. They then made the score 6-0 in the third with a Maggie Britt single to center field and 7-0 in the fourth with a Callie Gendron single to the second base side. 

In the top of the sixth inning, the Golden Bears scored their lone run of game number one. After Taylor Keegan smacked a single to left field, Dina DiBlasio sent a shot to left-center field. That would send the speedy Keegan around second and third and through home plate. DiBlasio was standing on second after the play with a stand-up double. The lead was cut down to 7-1 after the top of the sixth inning. The lead was re-established in the bottom of the inning when Gendron singled again. This hit went to left field and brought home DeRosa to make the score 8-1. WNE would not convert a run in the seventh inning, and the game would end with Springfield taking game one by a score of 8-1. 

Around The Diamond:

• The Golden Bears had four players get a hit during the game, with Dina DiBlasio hitting a double.
• Amelia DeRosa went 4-4 for Springfield, with three RBIs and an inside-the-park home run. 
• Breannah McCann went 3-3 for Springfield with an RBI.
• The WNE pitchers (Kane and Ava Blanchard) faced 32 batters and let up 13 hits. Springfield pitcher, Amelia DeRosa, pitched a complete game, letting up one run on four hits.
• The final score saw Springfield win 8-1.

Game 2: Springfield College 2, Western New England 0

Megan Beebe stepped into the circle for game two and pitched for the Golden Bears. Ashley Pugliese was the pitcher for Springfield. Pugliese pitched five shutout innings and only gave up four hits against 19 batters. Beebe kept Springfield away from a run for four innings. Beebe fanned four batters in the first four innings. After getting another strikeout in the fifth inning, Springfield struck. Michaela Ponticello hit a two-run home run to right-center field. That put the Pride up by a score of 2-0. The Golden Bears got a hit in the sixth inning against Emily Gell, who had come in to pitch but could not bring home a run. Beebe would shut down Springfield in the bottom of the sixth and leave the door open for the offense to get on the board and keep the game alive. However, Gell would not allow that to happen and made the 2-0 score final.

Around The Diamond:

• Five different Golden Bears registered a hit during game two.
• Maggie Britt went 2-3 for Springfield College. Michaela Ponticello had the only two RBIs of the game with a two-run home run. 
• The Springfield College pitchers did not let up a run in seven innings of action and let up five hits.
• Megan Beebe threw a complete game, letting up seven hits and two runs while facing 26 batters.
• Springfield College would win game two by a score of 2-0.

Up Next: 

The Golden Bears will return to Golden Bear Park for a battle of CCC Goliaths. They will host Endicott on Friday, April 7, at 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM.

The Pride will return to conference play on Friday, as well, when they host the Cougars of Clark University at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.