SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A tight-knit opening day for the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament began with a thrilling 3-2 walk-off win over the University of New England thanks to a three-run homer from senior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) and capped with a 4-3 walk-off setback to Western New England in extra innings.

Following the day's results, the Leopards now face a one-game elimination.

 
GAME ONE: WENTWORTH 3, UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND 2

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A quiet four-inning stretch was dominated by senior Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.), who struck out eight batters throughout the span. However, UNE opened the game open in the fifth inning as freshman Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) blasted a home run with a runner on first base, putting the Nor'Easters ahead 2-0.
• The Leopards had the pressure on heading into the final going as the Black & Gold only collected six hits through six innings of action while still trailing. After respective singles from Hancock and senior Julia Hutchinson (North Billerica, Mass.) put the duo on second and first, senior Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) made the most of her at-bat, sending the ball over the fence to give Wentworth a come-from-behind 3-2 walk-off win.
• Pettenger's day (3-4, 3 RBI), which also included a double, led the Leopards' offense, while Hutchinson went a perfect 3-3 at the plate. In the circle, Hancock struck out nine to preserve the win.

SERIES NOTES:

• Wentworth has won three straight against the Nor'Easters, as the previous triumphs came in doubleheader action back on April 2 (11-0, 9-1 scores).

GAME TWO: WESTERN NEW ENGLAND 4, WENTWORTH 3 (FINAL/8 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The hosts wasted no time getting on the board as a single by graduate student Dina DiBlasio (Norwalk, Conn.) drove home two runs in the first inning, giving the Golden Bears an early 2-0 advantage.
• With Hutchinson and sophomore Katelin Howe (Bow, N.H.) on base in the fifth inning, graduate student Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.) blasted a home run over the fence at center field, pushing the Leopards to a 3-2 edge late in the contest.
• WNE answered in the sixth inning as a solo home run by senior Kailey Carrano (West Haven, Conn.) knotted the score at three-all.
• After a quick seventh inning, the game headed to extras, with the Leopards getting on base in the eighth on a double by graduate student Alexandra Pina (Cumberland, R.I.). Pina advanced to third a batter later but was stranded in scoring position following a fly out.
• In the later portion of the eighth, two Golden Bears got on base courtesy of walks while DiBlasio blasted another single, loading the bases. A single by sophomore Alex Ferriouolo (North Haven, Conn.) drove home the deciding run, giving the hosts a walk-off 4-3 win.
• Beverly guided Wentworth's offense with a home run while sophomore Katie Kranz (Bedford, Mass.) and freshman Kyla Igawa (Long Beach, Calif.) recorded two hits apiece. Freshman Julie Schriver (Moscow, Pa.) struck out a batter in four innings in the circle before Hancock struck out four in relief.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth matches up with UNE again and plays them tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in Springfield, with the loser being eliminated from the CCC Tournament and the winner advancing to a date with the Golden Bears.

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