Softball Comes Up Short Versus Eastern, Rensselaer in 2025 Season Openers

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A solid defensive stout and a rally on the other end left the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team (0-2) short of a win on opening day of the 2025 campaign. The Leopards were edged by Eastern (2-0) 4-1 before falling to Rensselaer (1-2) 11-6 in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: EASTERN 4, WENTWORTH 1

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Eagles struck a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Tori Hook notched a single to center field, plating two runners home. The Leopards were able to shut it down from there, allowing a fielder's choice before grabbing a flyout.
• With two runners in scoring position in the third inning, Wentworth cut the deficit to 2-1 as a groundout from Lexi Lefkowski with the bases loaded brought home a run. However, a strikeout left two runners on base in scoring position.
• Eastern padded their lead to 4-1 in the bottom half of the frame as a double play by the Leopards with the bases loaded still ran home two runners. Julia Malowitz notched a strikeout to end the threat in the inning.
• Kayla Richard led the Leopards' offense with two hits. In the circle, Malowitz struck out four in a complete game.

GAME TWO: RENSSEALAER 11, WENTWORTH 6

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• RPI grabbed a 1-0 edge in the first inning on a sac bunt, bringing home a runner from second. The Black & Gold answered in the back half of the frame as a triple from Jess Rowe with two runners on brought both home, giving the Leopards a 2-1 edge.
• Wentworth rattled off four runs in the second inning, starting with a sac fly from Kyla Igawa to mark a 3-1 lead. Another triple from Rowe plated two more runners from scoring position, extending the lead to 5-1, before an error ultimately brought home Rowe on the ensuing batter.
• The Engineers roared back in the sixth inning, with three straight doubles resulting in four runs scored to cut their deficit to 6-5. In the seventh inning, a single with a runner in scoring position plated a tying run before a single and a triple plated two and one runners, respectively, to give RPI a 9-6 lead. A score on a wild pitch and another tally off of an error pushed their lead to 11-6.
• Rowe led the bats with two triples and 4 RBI, followed by Katelin Howe who posted a team-high three hits. Julie Schriver led the efforts in the circle, striking out two in 6.1 innings of work.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth is back at it in Winter Haven tomorrow, facing Bluffton (4:15 p.m.) and Dominican (Ill.) (6:30 p.m.).

For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on "X," Facebook and Instagram.