BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott Gulls softball team (25-7, 12-2 CCC) held off late surges in both games by the Wentworth Institute of Technology (24-9-1, 10-6 CCC), resulting in two narrow conference victories for the Gulls. The hosts escaped with a 1-0 win in game one before holding on for a 3-1 decision in game two.

 
GAME ONE: ENDICOTT 1, WENTWORTH 0

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A quiet opening game split wide open in the third inning as a ground out by graduate student Lauren Misiaszek (Londonderry, N.H.) with two runners on base brought home a score by the Gulls from senior Katie Watts (Swampscott, Mass.), giving the Gulls a 1-0 edge.
• A fielder's choice to freshman Kyla Igawa (Long Beach, Calif.) in the sixth inning got the Leopards close to tying the game. However, sophomore Katelin Howe (Bow, N.H.) rounded third and was called out at home, ending the inning.
• Wentworth again pushed in the seventh inning to knot the score as a single by sophomore Katie Kranz (Bedford, Mass.) brought senior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) to third base. However, at the next at-bat, Kranz was out running to second, ending the game 1-0 in favor of the hosts. Offensively, Kranz, Hancock, and senior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) tallied hits for the Leopards. In the circle, Hancock struck out seven batters in a complete game.

GAME TWO: ENDICOTT 3, WENTWORTH 1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Endicott pushed two scores in the third inning on a triple to center field by senior Emma DaSilva (Bristol, R.I.), who registered 2 RBI on the hit and put the Gulls ahead 2-0.
• The Gulls extended their lead on the following at-bat as a single by sophomore Dani Lear (Groveland, Mass.) brought home DaSilva, extending the hosts' lead to 3-0.
• The Leopards threatened to score in the fourth as Pettenger reached third on an error with senior Julia Bollentin (South Kingstown, R.I.) heading to first. However, Wentworth left both runners on base.
• In the sixth inning, Bollentin blasted a solo home run over the left field fence, cutting the Black & Gold's deficit to 3-1.
• Wentworth pushed in the seventh inning as a single by freshman Kait Shawney (Northwood, N.H.) was followed by a walk by Pettenger, putting a Leopard in scoring position. However, Endicott tallied the last out, giving the hosts a 3-1 conference win.
• Pettenger, Bollentin, Shawney, and sophomore Jess Rowe (Yardley, Pa.) guided Wentworth's offense with a hit each as Bollentin homered and added a RBI to her total. In the circle, freshman Julie Schriver (Moscow, Pa.) struck out seven three batters in six innings of action.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth hosts Simmons in non-conference play tomorrow.
  

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