Softball Wins Pair Against Delaware Valley and Sage to Improve to 4-1

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team swept their second consecutive doubleheader Wednesday, beating Delaware Valley University 7-0, then taking down The Sage Colleges by a 5-2 score.

GAME ONE:  Wentworth 7, Potsdam 0

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Kaitlin Pettenger (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Briana Beverly (1-for-3, 2 RBI)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Erin Hancock ((W, 1-1), 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 8K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After neither team could get anything going offensively in the first, the Leopards got on the board in the top of the second. A walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases, and an RBI groundout by junior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) gave Wentworth the lead. Then with two outs and the bases again loaded, junior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) drove in a pair of runs with a single to left field, extending the lead to three in the process. Senior Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.) then stepped to the plate, connecting on another two-run single for the Leopards and providing Wentworth with a 5-0 advantage.
• Both teams were set down in order in their next at-bats, but in the bottom of the third, the Aggies put runners on second and third with two outs following a sacrifice bunt. But Hancock was able to force a groundout, keeping Delaware Valley off the scoreboard.
• In the top of the fifth, a walk and single by the Leopards put two runners on with one out. Senior Aurora Wilks (Fruitport, Mich.) then singled through the left side, driving in one run and moving another to third. Hancock then hit a sacrifice fly, bringing home the seventh run for Wentworth.
• After setting the Aggies down in the fifth, the Leopards threatened again in the sixth inning, getting a runner in scoring position with one out. But Wentworth was unable to push the run across, stranding one on base. After a pair of 1-2-3 innings, Delaware Valley was down to its last chance in the seventh. Despite a one-out single by the Aggies, Wentworth was able to shut the door and close the game out with a 7-0 victory in their first game of the day.
• GAME TWO: Wentworth 5, The Sage Colleges 0

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Sabrina Haarstick (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 1R) Alexandra Pina (2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1R)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders:  Kayla DeMedeiros W, 1-0) 6IP, 1ER, 6H)

• After the leadoff hitter for Sage reached on an error, an RBI double for Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, Vt.) put the Gators ahead 1-0 in the first. The Leopards got the run back in the bottom of the first, however, as senior Alexandra Pina (Cumberland, R.I.) drove in Pettenger with an RBI single to tie it at one.
• Both pitchers then started to settle in, allowing just one hit combined over the next two innings. After a 1-2-3 inning for graduate student Kayla DeMedeiros (South Dartmouth, Mass.) in the top of the fourth, Wentworth's bats came to life in the bottom of the inning. Junior Julia Bollentin (South Kingstown, R.I.) came around to score following a hit by DeMedeiros, and an RBI single by senior Sabrina Haarstick (Bellingham, Mass.) put Wentworth ahead 3-1. Then with two outs and two runners on, Pettenger came through with a single to centerfield, bringing home another run to put the Leopards up by three going into the fifth.
• The Gators got runners to second and third with one out, and were able to push a run across on a sacrifice fly. But DeMedeiros was able to limit the damage, getting the following batter to fly out to end the inning. The Leopards once again responded following a score by Sage, as a pair of singles put two runners on. Haarstick came to the plate with two outs, delivering a run-scoring single put give Wentworth a 5-2 lead.
• Two runners reached base for the Gators in the top of the sixth, as Sage looked to narrow the Wentworth lead. But DeMedeiros was once again able to work her way out of trouble, getting a groundout and flyout to the scoring threat in the sixth.
• The Leopards went down in order in the bottom of the inning, and allowed a baserunner in the top of the seventh, but were able to leave the runner stranded to pick up a 5-2 victory in Game Two.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• This was the first ever meeting between Wentworth and Delaware Valley, and the second time the Leopards have faced Sage, winning both of those matchups.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards return to the field Friday, March 11. They first go up against Rivier University at 12:15 p.m., then face off with the University of Minnesota-Morris at 2:30 p.m.

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