AUBURNDALE, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team opened its 2021 slate with a non-conference doubleheader at Lasell. The host Lasers (4-0) took the first game, 10-3, while the Leopard (0-2) comeback fell just short in the nightcap with Lasell winning, 3-2.

GAME ONE:  Lasell 10, Wentworth 3

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders:  Brionna Myers (2-for-3, 1RBI), Annabelle Hebard (2-for-3, 1 2B, 1RBI), Briana Beverly (2-for-4), Kayla DeMedeiros (2-for-2)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders:  DeMedeiros ((L, 0-1), 4,1 IP, 2R (0 earned), 2K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a scoreless first two innings, Wentworth took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on a junior Alexandra Pina (Cumberland, R.I.) single, which scored freshman Annabelle Hebard (North Attleboro, Mass.). Hebard led off the inning with her first collegiate hit and took third after sophomore Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt and the throw to try and get Hebard was off the mark. With two outs, the Leopards had runners on second and third, however, a fly out ended the inning.
• Lasell took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning when sophomore Becca Smith (Tewksbury, Mass.) reached on an error which allowed sophomore Julia Macmillan (Acton, Mass.) and freshman Ally Kirck (Hamden, Conn.) to score. The Lasers upped their lead to 6-1 in the fifth inning when junior Kelsey Scannevin (Harpswell, Maine) scored on a passed ball, sophomore Bella Richard (Burlington, Mass.) and junior Brianna Gendreau (Warren, R.I.) each drove in a run with a ground out, and freshman Katie Hopkins (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) had an RBI single.
• The Leopards cut the lead in half with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Cassandra Pascucci (North Reading, Mass.) hit a one-out triple and came around to score on a senior Brionna Myers (Seabrook, N.H.) RBI single. Myers was plated when Hebard drove her in with a double.
• Lasell scored four in the home half of the inning as senior Alexis Truesdale (Wakefield, Mass.) hit a two-run single and scored on a passed ball and Richard scored after Gendreau singled and advanced on an error.
• Senior Kayla DeMedeiros (South Dartmouth, Mass.) took the loss (0-1), allowing a pair of unearned runs on two hits and striking out two in 4.1 innings of work. She also was 2-for-2 at the plate, joining Myers (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Hebard (2-for-3, 1 RBI), and Beverly (2-for-3) as Leopards with multiple hits.

GAME TWO:  Lasell 3, Wentworth 2

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders:  Kaitlin Pettenger (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Annabelle Hebard (2-for-3)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders:  Erin Hancock ((L, 0-1) 6IP, 3R, 5H, 6K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Pettenger led off the game with a single and stole second to get into scoring position. A one-out walk from Beverly put runners on first and second and Hebard which moved both runners up a base with Pettenger scoring on an error. Lasell tied the game in the bottom of the third inning on a one-out home run from Macmillan.
• The Leopards reclaimed the lead in the top of the fourth as Pascucci led off with a single. Sophomore Erin Hancock (Hancock, Mass.) reached on a fielders choice which forced Pascucci out at second and Hancock moved to second on a single off the bat of Myers. A ground out by junior Aurora Wilks (Fruitport, Mich.) put runners at second and third and Pettenger delivered a single to score Hancock.
• Lasell took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth with Gendreau, who led off the inning with a single, eventually scoring on a passed ball and Hopkins driving in a run with a single.
• The top of the seventh inning nearly tie the game as junior Ceilidh Higgins (Medway, Mass.) led off with a pinch-hit single. A ground out moved the tying run into scoring position, however, Lasell got the last two outs to hold on.
• Hancock took the loss (0-1), allowing three runs on five hits and striking out six in six innings. Offensively, Pettenger was 2-for-4 with an RBI and Hebard had a pair of hits.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• Today marked the first two meetings between the two teams.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth is at Western New England on Wednesday, March 31.

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