Perfect Game Seals Salve Sweep Over Softball

BOSTON, Mass. – Freshman pitcher Andi Nelson (Candia, N.H.) pitched a perfect game in the nightcap to lead the Salve Regina softball team over Wentworth Institute of Technology Friday evening at Carr Diamond.

The Leopards drop to 9-20 overall and 1-11 in the conference, while the Seahawks even out at 14-14 this season and jump to 11-3 against league opponents.

GAME ONE – Salve: 9 Wentworth: 1 (Five Innings)

Though the Leopards were first to strike in the conference tilt, Salve pushed six runs across in the third inning to put the game out of reach. The Seahawks left two runners on base before Wentworth took the plate in the bottom of the first, as senior Vanessa Weymouth (Fremont, N.H.) cracked a leadoff single to center, and advanced to second on a base hit from classmate Rachel Willcutt (Tilton, N.H.). Junior Caroline Shea (Abington, Mass.) bumped both runners over, before sophomore Deanna DiPilato (Worcester, Mass.) swung into an RBI groundout for the 1-0 lead.

Sharp defense from the Leopards kept the visitors scoreless in the second, before senior Megan Berryman (Middleboro, Mass.) reached first on a dropped popup from the Salve infield. Freshman Kacey Russo (East Walpole, Mass.) bunted Berryman over to third, before Berryman raced home on a hit to center from Kelsey Gorski (Killingworth, Conn.). Berryman was nearly homeward bound, but Salve left fielder Linsey Florent (New Bedford, Mass.) hummed the ball to junior Elizabeth Lombardo (Thomaston, Conn.), and Lombardo made the toss home to Holly Kathios (Pelham, N.H.) for the out. Salve put the game out of reach in the top of the third, as Lombardo, Kathios, and senior Lindsay DelGrego (Wallingford, Conn.) each drove home runs in the surge.

Weymouth led the Leopards with one hit and the Leopards' lone run, while Willcutt, DeMedeiros, and Berryman all recorded hits in the effort. DeMedeiros roped a double as Wentworth's only multi-base hitter.

Senior Francesca Galeazzi (Lynn, Mass.) steered the Seahawks with an unblemished 3-for-3 showing at the plate, while Kathios recorded three RBI. Four other Seahawks recorded an RBI, including Lombardo, Florent, DelGrego, and Amanda Riley (Barrington, N.H.). The Seahawks were also speedy on the bases, as junior Megan Guest (Meriden, Conn.) stole three, while Galeazzi, Riley, and senior Courtney Nowicki (Northford, Conn.) each stole two.

Freshman Julia Coute (North Dighton, Mass.) earned the win in the circle for Salve, and struck out three batters with just one earned run and four hits. DeMedeiros suffered the loss on 12 hits, and allowed five earned runs, with three K's.

GAME TWO – Salve: 6 Wentworth: 0

Nelson threw heat for all seven innings tossed, and fanned a career-high 12 batters in the effort, striking out the side in innings two, four, and five. Salve plated a single run through the first three innings, and added three in the fourth, including an RBI from Galeazzi.

Florant and sophomore Allie Gusmano (Orange, Conn.) each roped a double in the effort, while Nowicki swung into her second collegiate triple.

Wentworth freshman Alex Kielty (Middleboro, Mass.) suffered the loss with five hits, four earned runs, and five walks in 4.0 innings pitched. Myers came in for 3.0 innings of relief, and scattered three hits while striking out two.

Wentworth is back in action tomorrow afternoon at Curry College. 

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