Eastern Nazarene Tops Softball

BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team dropped a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) twinbill to Eastern Nazarene on Friday afternoon at Carr Diamond. The Leopards drop to 2-12 this season, while the Lions improve to 11-5 with their second consecutive sweep.

GAME ONE – Eastern Nazarene: 5 Wentworth: 0

The Leopards fell to two multi-run innings from Eastern Nazarene, as the Lions kicked things off with two runs in the first. Lions' sophomore pitcher Elisabeth Schaffer (Benton, Pa.) retired the Leopards in order before junior Lauren Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.) sent freshman Dominique Santos (Lancaster, Calif.) home on a sacrifice fly to right field. Junior Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) cranked a two-out single to left field, and reached second on a throwing error from the Leopards, scoring sophomore Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) on the play for the 2-0 score.

The Leopards scattered two hits during the next inning, highlighted by a lead-off single to left from junior Emily Winter (Stratford, Conn.). Sharp defense caught Winter on the steal to second, before freshman Brionna Myers (Seabrook, N.H.) reached first on a single to center. Schaffer, however, fanned the Leopards' last batter in the inning, leaving Myers on base to keep the Leopards scoreless.

A four-hit, three run inning sealed the 5-0 victory for Eastern Nazarene in the bottom of the sixth, as senior Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.), junior Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.), and sophomore Kori Bow (Shaftsbury, Vt.)  each drove a run home for the Lions.

Schaffer earned the win on the hill for Eastern Nazarene, and fanned seven batters with just one walk. Freshman Kayla DeMedeiros (So. Dartmouth, Mass.) allowed seven hits and four earned runs while striking out three for the Leopards.

GAME TWO – Eastern Nazarene: 3 Wentworth: 2

Wentworth played sharp defense in the nightcap and got into an offensive groove, tacking on two runs in the fourth inning. The Leopards cracked five hits in the stretch, including three straight hits to start from sophomore Deana DiPilato (Worcester, Mass.), DeMedeiros, and junior Caroline Shea (Abington, Mass.). Shea's blooper up the middle sent DiPilato flying home, before an RBI groundout from senior Megan Berryman (Middleboro, Mass.) plated DeMedeiros for the 2-0 score.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Lions staged a late comeback and roped back-to-back doubles from Bow and freshman Haley Viscovich (Modesto, Calif.). An RBI single from classmate Jenessa Huerta (El Monte, Calif.) plated Bow to pull Eastern Nazarene within one, 2-1, leaving runners on first and third with no outs. Santos smacked a flier into left field that sent Viscovich home on the tag in an attempt for the equalizing run. Viscovich, however, was stopped short, as left fielder Ilyssa Creamer (Pittsfield, Mass.) hummed the ball towards home plate and into the glove of DiPilato. DiPilato recovered quickly and tagged Viscovich, keeping the Lions at bay with the crucial double play.

Leading 2-1 with three outs until victory, the Leopards went back on defense I , as DeMedeiros struck out the first batter swinging. With runners on first and second – a single from Viscovich and a hit-by-pitch – Santos singled to left field to juice the bases for the Lions. Garrick then roped a double to right field, driving home two runs for the walk off win.

Weidler earned the win with 3.2 innings tossed, allowing just three hits. Gomez got the nod to start the game, and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing seven hits and two earned runs while striking out two. DeMedeiros suffered her second loss of the day, allowing three earned runs and ten hits.

Wentworth hops out of conference on Saturday for a 10:00 a.m. home game against Mass. Maritime.  

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