BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team dropped its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opener to the University of New England on Tuesday afternoon at Carr Diamond. The Nor'easters downed the Leopards in five innings in both contests, and improve to 7-5 overall and 2-0 in the CCC, while the Leopards fall to 2-10 this season and 0-2 against league opponents.
GAME ONE – UNE: 9 Wentworth: 1 (Five Innings)
The Nor'easters pushed four runs across in the second inning to hold an early and comfortable lead against the hosts. After two infield miscues and a runner on second, junior Alexis Kapsambelis (Merrimack, N.H.) scored the first run of the game, leaving classmate Anna Sessa (Tewksbury, Mass.) in scoring position. Sophomore Caty Flagg (Methuen, Mass.) singled through the right side and drove Sessa home for the 2-0 lead, and eventually rounded home for the 3-0 advantage after an infield throwing error. Junior Sydnee Bessler (Everett, Mass.) boosted UNE's lead to four with a deep sac fly to right field, scoring junior Caroline Schoenbucher (Barrington, N.H.) on the play for the 4-0 count.
Bessler allowed just one hit during Wentworth's next two at-bats – a deep single by freshman and CCC Rookie of the Week Kayla DeMedeiros (So. Dartmouth, Mass.) - before the Nor'easters went back on the offensive with five runs in the fourth. UNE swung into four hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Bessler for the 9-0 score. Wentworth senior Rachel Willcutt (Tilton, N.H.) started the with a lead-off single in the bottom of the fifth, and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt from classmate Megan Berryman (Middleboro, Mass.). Sophomore Molly Biega (Old Lyme, Conn.) came in to pinch run for Willcutt, and raced home on a groundout from junior Caroline Shea (Abington, Mass.). Bessler caught the last Wentworth batter looking, however, and sealed the five-inning victory for UNE.
Bessler earned the win on the hill for UNE, and fanned nine batters while allowing three hits and one earned run. DeMedeiros suffered the loss for Wentworth with five earned runs, seven hits, and five walks.
GAME TWO – UNE: 10 Wentworth: 1 (Five Innings)
The Nor'easters scored in all but one inning to close the nightcap, led off by a four-run start in the first. The first three batters loaded the bases on a walk and two singles, as sophomore Sarah Lachapelle (Gilford, N.H.) grounded out to short to score Bessler for the 1-0 lead with one down. Junior Avery Alberghini (Middlesex, Vt.), who got on base with a bunt single, raced home on a passed ball, before the Nor'easters converted on a double-steal for the 3-0 lead. With two down, junior Andrea Gosper (Wyoming, R.I.) roped an RBI double to center field, boosting the visitors' advantage to 4-0.
Wentworth sophomore Deanna DiPilato (Worcester, Mass.) cracked a two-out RBI double to put Wentworth on the board, but UNE pushed six runs across the final four innings to seal the sweep.
Bessler tossed all five innings for the Nor'easters and continued her strong performance on the hill with seven strikeouts, two walks, and one earned run. Wentworth freshman Brionna Myers (Seabrook, N.H.) allowed eight hits, eight earned runs, and seven walks in the loss.
Wentworth returns action on Friday vs. Eastern Nazarene.
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