NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team dropped two contests on day three of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Leopards fell to La Roche in the first game in five innings, 8-0, before dropping a narrow 2-1 decision to Eureka in the closer.
GAME ONE – La Roche 8 Wentworth 0 (Five Innings)
The Redhawks scored early and often, including a four-run second inning to take down the Leopards in five innings. La Roche kept Wentworth at bay, allowing just two hits from senior Rachel Willcutt (Tilton, N.H.) and sophomore Haley Hohlmaier (Johnston, R.I.).
Freshman Brionna Myers (Seabrook, N.H.) suffered the loss on the hill, allowing eight hits and four earned runs, while walking four batters.
GAME TWO – Eureka 2 Wentworth 1
The Red Devils struck first in the opening two innings, and held on for the 2-1 final despite a comeback effort from Wentworth in the fifth. Eureka worked a walk and stole second, and scored the runner on a deep double to left center for the 1-0 punch in the bottom of the first. With two outs down in the bottom of the second, the Red Devils scored their winning run on a fielding error from the Leopards for a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth, Hohlmaier worked a two-out walk, followed by a walk from sophomore Molly Biega (Old Lyme, Conn.) to place runners on first and second. Senior Vanessa Weymouth (Fremont, N.H.) stepped up to plate and swung into a deep single to right field, scoring junior Caroline Shea (Abington, Mass.) on the play, who landed on base with a triple. With the bases still juiced, Eureka struck out Wentworth's last batter leaving three on base for the slim 2-1 advantage.
Freshman Kayla DeMedeiros (South Dartmouth, Mass.) pitched all six innings for Wentworth, and struck out a season-best five batters in the effort while allowing just one earned run.
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