Softball Drops Two at Suffolk

BOSTON, Mass –The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team was defeated in both games of a doubleheader Saturday, April 23. The Leopards first fell 2-0 to Suffolk University, then dropped a 4-1 decision in the second game. 

GAME ONE: Suffolk 2, Wentworth 0

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Briana Beverly (1-for-3)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Erin Hancock ((L, 7-4), 6 IP, 0 ER, 5H, 11K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards got the first two runners on in the opening inning, as junior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) and senior Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.) both reached base to get game one started. But Rams pitcher Jenny Jacob (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) struck out the next three batters in order to set Wentworth aside in the first.
• Junior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) had the ball in game one for the Leopards, and worked around a one-out single in the bottom of the first to send the game to the second still scoreless. Jacob was strong in the second, striking out the side for six consecutive strikeouts over two innings heading to the last of the second.
• Hancock then matched her in the last of the second, striking out all three batters she faced as the pitchers controlled the game early. Pettenger drew a one-out walk in the third, but Wentworth couldn't take advantage, as the next two batters were set down to end the inning. Hancock struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the third, but Suffolk then created a scoring opportunity as Caitlin Murphy (Abington, Mass.) connected on a two-out triple to give the Rams a chance to score the first run of the day. But Hancock came back with another strikeout, working out of trouble to send the game to the fourth.
• The Leopards again couldn't get going offensively in the fourth, as the first two batters grounded out, followed by Jacob picking up another strikeout to put the visitors down 1-2-3. Hancock continued to hold Suffolk off the scoreboard, adding two more strikeouts in the bottom of the inning, bringing the game to the fifth with the score still tied 0-0.
• The pitchers continued to dominate, with neither allowing a hit in the fifth and just one runner reaching base. Wentworth went down in order in the sixth, and Hancock ran into some danger in the bottom half. A pair of singles put runners on first and second with two out in the inning, and an infield single loaded the bases. Two runs then came across to score on an error, giving the Rams the first runs of the day as the home team took a 2-0 lead. A flyout ended the inning, but the Leopards now trailed heading into the final inning.
• Wentworth again couldn't break through offensively in the seventh, as Jacob didn't allow a baserunner in the final inning to close out a 2-0 victory for the Rams in game one.

GAME TWO: Suffolk 4, Wentworth 1

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Aurora Wilks (3-for-3, 2B), Kayla DeMedeiros (1-for-2, 1 RBI)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Kayla DeMedeiros ((L, 7-4), 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards got on the board in the opening inning of game two. With two out and a runner on first, senior Aurora Wilks (Fruitport, Mich.) got Wentworth started with a single through the right side. Then graduate student Kayla DeMedeiros (South Dartmouth, Mass.) singled down the left field line, as Beverly came around to score to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead.
• DeMedeiros set the Rams down in order in the first, and although junior Julia Hutchinson (North Billerica, Mass.) got on board in the second, the visitors couldn't add to the lead.
• DeMedeiros worked around an error and walk in the bottom of the inning, keeping Suffolk off the scoreboard heading to the third. Wilks doubled down the left field line with two out in the third, but again the Leopards left a runner stranded as DeMedeiros popped up to end the inning.
• Both teams went down in order in their next turns at bat, but Suffolk threatened in the bottom half of the fourth. With two out and nobody on, a walk was followed by back-to-back singles for the Rams, who loaded the bases. But DeMedeiros came back with a strikeout to strand three runners and get out of trouble in the fourth.
• Wentworth went down quickly in the fifth, and the Rams finally broke through on the scoreboard in their turn at bat. After a single and stolen base with one out, an RBI single from Jolie Quintana (Lynn, Mass.) tied the game at one. Then with two out, Ally Cifaratta (Cicero, N.Y.) homered to bring in two more and put Suffolk ahead 3-1.
• Wilks picked up her third hit of the day, leading off the sixth with a single. But the next three batters were all set down on strikes, as Wentworth couldn't narrow their deficit.
• The Rams added to their lead in the bottom of the inning, as Ira Boci (Fairfield, Conn) hit a solo homer with two out to make it a 4-1 lead for the home team. The Leopards didn't get a baserunner on in the seventh, as Suffolk took game two by a score of 4-1.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• The two teams played for the 18^th and 19^th time Saturday, with Suffolk holding a 17-2 lead in the series.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards are right back at it Sunday, April 24, as they travel to Roger Williams University for a doubleheader at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

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