BOSTON, Mass. – Senior Nicole Ferreira (Framingham, Mass.) combined to go 5-for-6 with three runs scored and four RBI, while classmate Caylee Johanson (Windsor, Conn.) picked up a pair of wins in the circle as the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader from Mass. Maritime this afternoon on Carr Diamond. The Leopards won the first game, 11-3, and took the second, 12-2.
The Leopards took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when junior Bridget Souza (Medford, Mass.) doubled home classmate Jen Giudice (Central Valley, N.Y.), who had led off with a walk. Wentworth added two runs to their total in the third inning, thanks in part to a sacrifice fly from Johanson which scored junior Lizz Harvey (McConnellsburg, Pa.).
Mass. Maritime used a three-run fifth inning to tie the game, thanks in part to an RBI single from freshman Janelle Beaulieu (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) and an RBI triple from freshman Meghan Thibeault (Scituate, Mass.). Wentworth countered with eight in the home half of the fifth to end the game, as a two-run single from Giudice and an RBI double from Souza highlighted the inning.
Johanson allowed three runs on five hits, walked just one, and struck out four to earn the win. She also had a pair of hits to help the Leopard offense. Freshman Krysta Cunha (New Bedford, Mass.) was 3-for-4 to lead all Leopard hitters, while Souza and Ferreira each had two hits. Beaulieu took the loss for the Buccaneers
Wentworth struck for three in the first inning of the nightcap, with Johanson and Ferreira each driving in runs, and plated six runs two innings later, thanks in part to a two-run single from Harvey, as well as single RBI from Souza, Ferreira, and Giudice.
The Buccaneers got on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Senior Jess O'Meara (Stoneham, Mass.) walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch and sophomore Holly McLaughlin (Belmont, Mass.), who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on a passed ball. After Johanson led off the home half of the fourth with a double, she was singled home by Ferreira who would come around to score on a two-run, ground rule double from Giudice.
Johanson allowed two runs (zero earned) on four hits and struck out three in four innings to improve to 9-10. Sophomore Michele Harrington (New Paltz, N.Y.) pitched a scoreless seventh in her first appearance. Ferreira went 3-for-3 with three RBI, while Giudice was 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Beaulieu took the loss (2-6) for Mass. Maritime, while Thibeault and McLaughlin recorded hits for the Buccaneers.
Wentworth won its third and fourth games in a row to improve to 10-11 on the year. The Leopards resume The Commonwealth Coast Conference play on Thursday with a doubleheader against Anna Maria. Mass. Maritime falls to 2-6 and is at Mass. College on Saturday for a MASCAC doubleheader.
