Softball Locks Up Second Seed in CCC Tournament, To Host Pod on Wednesday
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 8, 2023) – The Western New England softball team has finished the regular season in second place in the CCC standings, locking up the two seed in the upcoming CCC Tournament, earning a hosting bid in Pod B.
The Tournament:
The Golden Bears finished the season with a 25-13 record, which included a 13-5 mark in the CCC, second best in the conference. WNE wrapped up conference play with two wins over Suffolk University, a 5-2 win and a 5-4 walk off victory. With the wins over the Rams, WNE locked up the two seed for the second straight season and will host the second half of the CCC Tournament bracket, beginning on Wednesday, May 10.
The two seeded Golden Bears will take on the seventh seeded Rams of Suffolk University, Game 1B, at 10:00 AM from Golden Bear Softball Park. Western New England will also host third seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology and sixth seeded University of New England in the pod. The Leopards and Nor'easters will play the second game of the day on May 10, Game 2B, at 12:15 PM. From there, the Winner of Game 1B will take on the winner of Game 2B 30 minutes after Game 2B. The final game of the day will be an elimination game between the Loser of Game 1B and Loser of Game 2B.
The Season:
Kailey Carrano led the Golden Bears this season with 13 home runs, both a single season and career program record for the blue and gold. Carrano hit .331 on the season and now has a .335 batting average through 111 games played. Graduate Student Dina DiBlasio led the Golden Bears in hits on the season, collecting 53 total hits, 19 of those doubles and four home runs while driving in 27 runs, hitting .408 through the regular season. Alex Ferriouolo, Gracie Hemstock, and Kaleigh Blades all contributed in a big way this season for Western New England, hitting over .300 on the season.
Senior Megan Beebe through 104.2 innings this season for the Golden Bears giving up just 33 earned runs while striking out 97 batters, dotting a 2.21 ERA. Beebe went 10-5 on the season, recording seven complete games in 17 starts, while also recording one save. Sophomore Ava Blanchard and First Year Riley Kane helped guide the Golden Bears in the circle as well, throwing 138 combined innings. The two combined for a 15-7 record while Kane registered four saves for WNE on the season.
CCC Tournament:
To view the full CCC Softball Tournament Bracket, click here.
