FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – A monster performance by junior Jess Rowe (Yardley, Pa.) across two tilts guided the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team (22-16) to two non-conference wins, including a comeback thriller in game one, over the Framingham State Rams (17-16) Tuesday afternoon.

In respective 6-5 and 5-1 victories for the Leopards, Rowe totaled four hits, including two triples and a home run in game one, along with six total RBI.

GAME ONE: WENTWORTH 6, FRAMINGHAM STATE 5

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Wentworth pushed the score to 2-0 early in the first inning as a home run by Rowe with graduate student Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) on base gave the Leopards a two-run lead.
• In the third inning, a triple by Rowe plated a run, extending the lead to 3-0, before a fielder's choice later in the order brought home Rowe, pushing Wentworth's lead to 4-0.
• A ground out for the Rams in the back half of the inning drove home one of two base runners, cutting their deficit to 4-1, before singles by senior Kelsey McGuill (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and freshman Marina Cadena (West Wareham, Mass.) brought home a score apiece, marking a 4-3 game.
• Framingham State took a 5-4 edge in the sixth inning as singles by senior Gwendolyn Carpenter (Ashley Falls, Mass.) and freshman Victoria Connolly (West Deptford, N.J.) drove home a score each.
• The Leopards regained their lead in the seventh inning stretch as another triple by Rowe plated a run to tie the game before a groundout following ran home the junior, marking a 6-5 score. Despite letting up one hit, sophomore Hayley Hines (Lantana, Texas) helped preserve the win with the save in the circle in the back half of the frame.
• Rowe picked up the win in the circle, striking out two batters along the way, while leading the effort at the plate with three hits on two triples and a home run tacked on to four RBI.

GAME TWO: WENTWORTH 5, FRAMINGHAM STATE 1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A quiet start to the contest picked up in the fourth inning as the Leopards managed to load the bases on a walk and two singles. However, two straight outs ended the threat and kept the game knotted at zero.
• Wentworth again loaded the bases in the sixth inning and brought home two scores on a single by sophomore Kyla Igawa (Long Beach, Calif.) marking a 2-0 score. Another error later in the order drove home two more runs, pushing the lead to 4-0 before a ground out plated a run scored by Rowe, marking a 5-0 game.
• A solo home run by McGuill in the back half of the inning cut the Rams' deficit to 5-1, but the Leopards defense stood pat through the next frame and change. Sophomore Julie Schriver (Moscow, Pa.) struck out four in the circle while Igawa and Pettenger led with two hits apiece. Rowe and Igawa added in with two RBI apiece.

SERIES NOTES:

• Wentworth has won four straight and leads the all-time series, 4-2.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards wrap up regular season play Saturday at home versus Western New England.
  

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