BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Softball team improved to 4-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with a pair of six-inning, 8-0 victories over Wentworth Institute of Technology Friday afternoon.
In the first game, the Hawks kicked off the bottom of the first with two runs in the inning, beginning with Lauren Tierney (Middleboro, Mass.) scoring on an RBI groundout by Veronica Alicea (Trumbull, Conn.). Alana Peoples (Scarborough, Maine) later followed with an RBI single to bring in Chelsea Boulrisse (Bourne, Mass.).
Though RWU added one more in the fifth on an RBI single by Delaney Burns (Hudson, N.H.), the Hawks broke the game open in the sixth with five runs in the frame. Alicea began things with a bases-clearing 3-RBI double, followed by a Peoples RBI single two batters later. A misplayed backhand throw at second after a stellar stop allowed Burns to come in as the eighth run of the game, closing the contest in favor of the Hawks.
Meghan Maliga (Suffield, Conn.) picked up her first career shutout, allowing four hits and three walks in six scoreless innings while striking out a career-high nine. She also helped her cause with two hits and a run scored. Peoples finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Alicea went 1-for-4 with a career-best four RBI and a run scored.
Kate Lee (Spruce Head, Maine) suffered the loss, giving up eight runs (five earned) in 5.2 innings. Devinn Doherty (Bridgewater, Mass.), Erin McKinnon (Berlin, Conn.), Karsyn Sawyer (Chatham, N.Y.), and Paige Mochi (Cambridge, Mass.) each finished 1-for-3 in the game.
In the second game, both teams failed to score in the first two innings. In the third, the Hawks struck first, with an RBI double by Boulrisse and a sac fly by Alicea to give RWU a 2-0 lead. The following inning saw Peoples double down the left field line just over third base to score Maliga and Tori Milano (Eastchester, N.Y.). RWU would close out the inning leading 5-0.
The Leopards attempted to rally in the top of the sixth, with McKinnon and Doherty leading off the inning with singles followed by Sam Curran (Quincy, Mass.) reaching on the fielder's choice to load the bases with no outs. The Hawks were able to get a double play on the next at-bat, as Burns snagged a low line drive and diving to tag the bag. After a groundout to second, RWU escaped without damage. The bottom of the frame saw RWU tack on three more runs to earn the shortened win.
Milano allowed only five hits in the shutout win with five strikeouts. Boulrisse was 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI, while Molly Petrone was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs.
Anna Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass.) took the loss, giving up five runs in 3.2 innings. McKinnon, Doherty, and Sawyer again went 1-for-3 in the game, while Mariana Moniz (Alges, Portugal) had a pinch-hit single.
Roger Williams (5-11, 4-0 CCC) takes on Salve Regina on Wednesday, while Wentworth hosts Curry the same day.
(Recap Courtesy of Roger Williams Sports Information)