BOSTON, Mass. – Behind a balanced attack on offense, the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team (21-5, 9-1 CCC) continued their dominant stretch in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with a pair of wins over the Suffolk Rams (5-16, 4-6 CCC) Sunday afternoon. The Leopards grabbed both games by 8-2 and 6-1 scores, respectively.
With today's victories, Wentworth has secured their second-straight 20-win season.
GAME ONE: WENTWORTH 8, SUFFOLK 2
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Leopards took advantage of a passed ball early in the first inning as graduate student Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.) scored on one by the Rams, giving the hosts an early 1-0 lead. A double by sophomore Jess Rowe (Yardley, Pa.) with graduate student Alexandra Pina (Cumberland, R.I.) on base later brought Pina home for a score, extending the host's lead to 2-0.
- Suffolk tied the score at two-all on a two-run homer by freshman Catherine Carignan (Litchfield, N.H.) in the second inning.
- In the third inning, Rowe notched another double to the outfield with Pina on base, bringing home the graduate student for a 3-2 lead. Shortly after, sophomore Katie Kranz (Bedford, Mass.) blasted a home run of her own with two runners on base, stretching the Leopards' lead to 6-2.
- A triple from senior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) drove home freshman Kyla Igawa (Long Beach, Calif.) in the fifth inning, extending the Leopards' advantage to 7-2. Later, with a batter making it on base due to a throwing error, Hancock was able to head home on the same error, capping Wentworth's lead at 8-2.
- Five student-athletes paced the Leopards' offense with two hits apiece, while Rowe (2-4, 2 RBI) and Kranz (1-3, HR, 3 RBI) did most of the damage at the plate. In the circle, Hancock struck out two and surrendered six hits in a complete game.
GAME TWO: WENTWORTH 6, SUFFOLK 1
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Rams got on the board right off the bat in game two as a single drove in a score by graduate student Caitlin Murphy (Abington, Mass.) in the first inning, marking a 1-0 edge for the visitors.
- In the later portion of the inning, a double by senior Julia Bollentin (South Kingstown, R.I.) drove home a score by Beverly, tying the game at one apiece.
- Wentworth got their second home run of the afternoon in the third inning as senior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) blasted the ball beyond the right field fence, bringing home senior Julia Hutchinson (North Billerica, Mass.) and giving the hosts a 3-1 advantage. Another double from Rowe later in the inning drove home Beverly once again, extending the Black & Gold's lead to 4-1.
- Rowe blasted a triple down the left side of the field in the fifth inning with Pina already on base, bringing home Pina to extend the host's lead to 5-1. Later in the inning, a single by Kranz brought home Rowe, pushing Wentworth's lead to 6-1.
- Pettenger (2-3, HR, 2 RBI) and Rowe (2-3, 2 RBI) led the Leopards' offense while Bollentin and Kranz also notched RBI. In the circle, freshman Julie Schriver (Moscow, Pa.) continued her torrid stretch, striking out three en route to her tenth win of the season.
SERIES NOTES:
- The Black & Gold have won three-straight against the Rams.
NEXT UP:
- The Leopards visit Regis Wednesday evening for a non-conference doubleheader.
For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Wentworth Leopards "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
