Softball Falls to Framingham State in Doubheader

FRAMINGHAM, Mass –The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team was defeated in both games of their doubleheader with Framingham State University Wednesday afternoon, coming up just short in a 10-9 decision in game one, then falling 11-7 in the second game.

GAME ONE: Framingham State 10, Wentworth 9

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Briana Beverly (3-for-4, HR, 3B, 2B, 3 RBI, 2R), Ceilidh Higgins (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI, 1R)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Erin Hancock (4 IP, 4 ER, 8H, 4K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first. After a leadoff single and stolen base by junior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.), senior Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.), who came up a single short of hitting for the cycle, drove her in with an RBI triple. Beverly then came around to score on an RBI groundout by senior Aurora Wilks (Fruitport, Mich.) to put Wentworth ahead by two.
• The Rams were able to get one back in the bottom of the first. After the first two batters were set down, an RBI double by Shelby Roode (Ashaway, R.I.) brought in the first run of the day for Framingham State.
• Wentworth couldn't push another run across in the second, but the Rams came back in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. After back-to-back singles to start the inning, Morgan Poli (Cumberland, R.I.) brought in the tying run with an RBI hit. Framingham State then took the lead following a wild pitch, going up 3-2.
• The Leopards came right back in the third, however, taking the lead with two more runs. Beverly got it started with a double, then advanced to third on a single by senior Alexandra Pina (Cumberland, R.I.). Junior Julia Bollentin (South Kingstown, R.I.) then doubled in the tying run, followed by an RBI single from senior Ceilidh Higgins (Medway, Mass.) to put Wentworth ahead 4-3.
• Framingham State went down in order in the bottom of the third, and Wentworth built on their lead in the fourth. After a single and a walk, Pettenger drove in a run with an RBI hit, followed by Beverly driving in another run to make it a three-run advantage for the Leopards.
• Both teams couldn't get anything going in their next turns at bat, but the Rams came storming back in the bottom of the fifth. After two singles to start the inning, Abby Clark (Uxbridge, Mass.) hit a double, bringing in one run and putting another at third. The Leopards then got two big outs, as the next batter lined out and Wentworth was able to double off Clark at second. An RBI single brought the home team within a run, and Kyleigh McGreevy (Taunton, Mass.) put the Rams ahead with a two-run triple down the right field line, giving Framingham State a 7-6 lead.
• The Leopards went down in order in the sixth, and the Rams took advantage, adding three more runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Rams loaded the bases with one out, then got two runs across on a hit by pitch and sacrifice fly. A two-out RBI single by Mercedes Jiminez (Cambridge, Mass.) brought home the 10^th Framingham State run, putting the home team ahead by four going into the final inning.
• Beverly got Wentworth started in the seventh, launching a solo home run, her second of the year, to get the Leopards within three. Pina reached base after getting hit by a pitch, and a single by Wilks got the tying run to the plate. But the Rams were able to turn a double play in the next at-bat, bringing Wentworth down to their final out. Higgins then came through with an RBI double to left-center, and junior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) brough Higgins in with an RBI single to make it a 10-9 game. But Framingham State was able to get the final out, as the Leopards' rally came up just short in the seventh.

                                                 GAME TWO: Framingham State 11, Wentworth 7

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Sabrina Haarstick (3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1R), Briana Beverly (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1R)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Kayla DeMedeiros ((L, 3-2), 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 10 H, 2 BB)

• Pettenger led off game two with a single, and Pina drove her in with a one-out RBI single to give the Leopards the lead in the top of the first. The Rams acme back to tie it in the bottom of the inning, as the first two batters reached base. Jiminez then drove in a run with an RBI groundout, but couldn't bring in the two runners left on base.
• Wentworth went right back to work in the second, bringing in three more runs. Senior Sabrina Haarstick (Bellingham, Mass.) led off the inning with a double, then came around to score on an RBI groundout from Pettenger. Then with two runners on and two out, Beverly connected on her second triple of the day, plating two more runs and giving the Leopards a 4-1 lead.
• After setting the Rams down in the second, Wentworth grew it's lead in the third. Higgins started the inning off with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch, then Haarstick drove her in with an RBI single as the Leopards took a 5-1 advantage.
• Both pitchers then started to settle in, as the two teams combined for just hits over the next two innings. But just as in the first game, the Rams came back strong, again in the fifth inning. After the first batter was set down, three straight singles brought in the first run of the inning, followed by a walk to load the bases. Kelsey McGull (East Longmeadow, Mass.) drove in a pair with a two-run single, pulling Framingham State within a run at 5-4. After another walk loaded the bases once more, Clark singled home a run to tie the game at five. A wild pitch put the Rams in the lead, as two more runs came across to put them ahead 7-5 heading into the sixth.
• The Leopards went down quickly in the sixth, and Framingham State pulled away in their turn to bat in the inning. Camille Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) got it started with a solo homer to center, then a walk and a pair of singles gave the Rams another bases loaded opportunity. McGull then broke it open with a three-run double to right field, putting Framingham State ahead 11-5.
• Wentworth was able to get a pair of runs back in the second after a wild pitch and RBI groundout from Higgins, but the Leopards couldn't make up the deficit and fell 11-7 in game two.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• This was the first time the two teams have met, with Framingham State holding a 2-0 lead in the series.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards play their home opener Saturday, April 2, as they host a doubleheader against Curry College in their first conference games of the season. Game times are scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

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