Softball Falls in Both Ends of Doubleheader at UNE

BIDDEFORD, Maine –The Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team dropped both matchup of a doubleheader at the University of New England Saturday, April 30. The Leopards fell short in extra innings by an 8-7 score in game one, then lost 9-3 in game two.

GAME ONE: UNE 8, Wentworth 7 (8 innings)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Aurora Wilks (2-for-3, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1R), Briana Beverly (2-for-5, 2B, RBI, 1R)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Erin Hancock (5 IP, 3 ER, 6H, 3K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards were able to load the bases in the top of the first, as junior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) recorded one of her three hits with a leadoff single and senior Aurora Wilks (Fruitport, Mich.) reached base with two outs. After a walk by senior Ceilidh Higgins (Medway, Mass.), a strikeout ended the inning as Wentworth left three on.
• UNE was able to get a run across in the bottom of the inning to take a 1-0 lead. Afte a single and sacrifice bunt, a passed ball put a runner on third with one out. Abby Miner (Saco, Maine) then singled up the middle to bring in the first run of the day, but junior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) was able to set down the next two batters to bring it to the second at a 1-0 score.
• After both teams went down in order in the second, Wentworth picked up a two-out single in the third by senior Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.) but couldn't bring in the tying run. The Nor'easters then added to their lead in the last of the third, starting off the inning with a double and single to put two runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly brought in one run, then a two-out RBI single by Grace Tutt (East Waterboro, Maine) extended the UNE lead to 3-0.
• The Leopards had a chance to get on the board in the fourth, as senior Sabrina Haarstick (Bellingham, Mass.) picked up a one-out double then advanced to third on an error. But two straight groundouts left her stranded at third, keeping it a three-run game. UNE added another run in their half of the inning, as an error put a runner on second with one out. After a stolen base and another Leopard error, the fourth Nor'easter run came it to score as the home team grew the lead to four runs.
• Wentworth finally broke through in the fifth, as Pettenger got things started with a one-out double, followed by a single from freshman Jess Rowe (Yardley, Pa.). Beverly then connected on a double to right-center, scoring Pettenger and putting two baserunners on. Wilks then stepped to the plate, and the senior blasted her team-leading sixth home run of the year to tie the game at 4-4. Higgins and Haarstick followed with two singles as the Leopards looked to take the lead, but a lineout turned into a double play to end the inning for the visitors.
• UNE was able to come back and regain the lead in the bottom of the fifth, putting up two more runs. After a double and a walk, a passed ball and wild pitch put up the fifth run for the home team. Taylor Depot (Auburn, Maine) then singled in another run, making it a 6-4 game after five.
• A leadoff walk and a pair of infield singles loaded the bases for the Leopards with one out in the sixth. After a strikeout, Wilks came up to bat and singled to right-center, scoring two runs and tying the game at six with her fourth and fifth RBI of the day.
• The Nor'easters went down in order in the sixth, but the Leopards couldn't capitalize on a leadoff single from Haarstick in the top of the seventh. After UNE went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh, the Leopards started extra innings with a runner on second, but could only advance Rowe over to third, as Wentworth went down in order. Miner then led off the bottom of the eighth for UNE, singling to left and bringing in the winning run that started the inning at second.

GAME TWO: UNE 9, Wentworth 3

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders: Kaitlin Pettenger (2-for-4, 3B, RBI, 1R), Katelin Howe (2-for-4, RBI, 1R)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders: Jess Rowe ((W, 8-4),                  5 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 5K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Just as they did in the first game, the Leopards loaded the bases in the first inning of game two. Pettenger and freshman Katelin Howe (Bow, N.H.) led off the game with singles, and Wilks drew a one-out walk. But UNE pitcher Alie Martell (Gray, Maine) picked up back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning unscathed as Wentworth left three on the basepaths.
• After a walk and stolen base led off the inning, Miner got the Nor'easters started with an RBI double to center. Kate Wilmot (Walpole, Mass.) followed up with a single to bring Miner in, and two batters later Depot brought in the third run of the inning with a two-out single.
• The Leopards got two runs back in the second, with graduate student Kayla DeMedeiros (South Dartmouth, Mass.) leading off the inning with a single. Then with two out and DeMedeiros on second, Pettenger came to the plate and tripled down the left field line to get Wentworth on the board as DeMedeiros came in to score. Howe followed with a single through the left side, bringing in Pettenger. The Leopards loaded to bases after Beverly and Wilks walked, but again couldn't bring the baserunners in and left them loaded in the second.
• After a pair of singles to start the second, Miner made it a three-run game once again with a two-run double to left, as the Nor'easters took a 5-2 lead. She came in to score on an RBI triple by Tutt, and one batter later Wilmot notched her second RBI hit of the game to extend the lead to 7-2. Rowe, who came in to pitch in the second for Wentworth, then recorded a pair of strikeouts, and with runners on first and third got a flyout to end the inning.
• A one-out single by DeMedeiros was all Wentworth could put together in the third, and after a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning, the Leopards turned a double play to bring the game to the fourth with the score still 7-2 in favor of the home team.
• Wentworth got one back in the fourth inning, as Howe reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Wilks then delivered an RBI single to left, scoring Howe with two out. A single by Higgins and an error by UNE put runners on second and third, but Wentworth was unable to bring the runners in.
• A single and walk to start off the bottom of the fourth had the Nor'easters threatening again, but Rowe came back to retire the next three batters in order and strand two on the bases.
• Wentworth couldn't get going offensively in the fifth, and UNE took advantage, putting up two more runs in their half. A single and walk put runners on first and second with two out, and a single by Tutt brought in the eighth run for the home team. A single and error allowed another run to score, bringing it to a 9-3 score after five.
• Beverly connected on a one-out single in the sixth, but that was all the Leopards could do as a lineout and flyout ended the inning. After the Nor'easters went down in order in the bottom of the inning, Wentworth did the same in the seventh as UNE took the second game by a 9-3 final score.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• The two teams met for the 39^th and 40^th times Saturday, with UNE holding a 32-8 lead in the series.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth finishes the regular season Sunday, May 1 in a home doubleheader against Endicott College on Senior Day. Game times are 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

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