Softball Earns Conference Doubleheader Split at JWU
 
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The New England College softball team closes out the regular season play today with a split winning game one in their double-header at Johnson & Wales University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Sunday at Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex in Providence, Rhode Island.
 
GAME ONE
Score: New England College 3, Johnson & Wales University 1
Records: Pilgrims 14-21, 7-8 GNAC | Wildcats 23-14, 14-3 GNAC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first inning of play on both sides, NEC were able to strike first in the second inning to take the lead. Junior outfielder Surena Montero (Bakersfield, Calif.) was hit by pitch during her at bat that allowed Montero to be plated at first. Next up was senior pitcher Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) who advanced Montero to third base thanks to her double into right center placing runners on third and second base. Sophomore infielder Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.) would take care of the rest hitting an RBI single to bring in Montero for the first NEC run. Olson pitched an amazing inning for the 'Grims allowing no hits to occur to make it a scoreless inning for the Wildcats going into the third inning.
• Garcia would continue to swing a hot bat for the 'Grims as the sophomore was good for another RBI single with the bases loaded to bring in junior catcher Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) and sophomore utility Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) to stretch the lead out to three runs.
• Things began to pick up down the stretch of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning where the bats of the Wildcats managed to show some life. JWU sophomore infielder Amanda Madigan (Holbrook, N.Y.) doubled to center field that would be followed up by junior catcher Mady Lyons (Prior Lake, Minn.) single to center field helping Madigan get to third. Senior outfielder Caroline Amorelli (Berlin, N.J.) was next reach base for JWU but due to fielder choice still advancing freshman outfielder Abby Nersesian (Portsmouth, N.H.) who pinch ran for Lyons. JWU scored their first run of the game thanks to the designated hitter freshman Morgan Pelletier (Meridan, Conn.) who recorded an RBI single into right field.
• NEC was unable to produce any more scoring opportunities in the seventh inning but were able to put a stop to JWU's last ditch efforts with the run that was scored in the previous inning. Olson would only let up two hits that wouldn't result in any damage inflicted on NEC resulting in a 3-1 win in game one for the 'Grims.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Garcia had the biggest impact on the game for the 'Grims going two-for-three batting in all three runs for NEC.
• Lopez was two-for-four with a run to go with the California natives outing in game one.

• Olson spun a complete game to earn her seventh win on the season and it proved to be quite a dominant performance by only giving up one earned run and struck out three batters.
• Pelletier did all she could for the Wildcats, going two-for-three with one RBI and Madigan finished four-for-three with one run.

 
GAME TWO
THE BASICS
Score: New England College 0, Johnson & Wales University 3
Records: Pilgrims 14-22, 7-9 GNAC | Wildcats 24-14, 15-3 GNAC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Scoring in game two of the conference doubleheader didn't commence until the third inning unfortunately in favor of the Wildcats. Junior infielder Jadyn Torres (El Paso, Tex.) got all the way to second base after being walked and a wild pitch being thrown. Senior pitcher Mckenzie Clee (Warminster, Penn.) reached first on a fielding error assisting Torres in advancing to third base platting two Wildcats. Madigan was next up to bat resulting in a line out to the right fielder that turned into a sacrifice fly allowing Torres to score for JWU. The damage continued for NEC as Lyons hit a two-run home run to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead to conclude their frame of the third inning.

• From there on NEC was unable to record a run to respond to the offense produced by the Wildcats. The bottom of the third inning was the closet scoring opportunity that the 'Grims had to possibly capitalize on. Junior infielder Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) singled a bunt into third base to get some momentum going for NEC. Gagne was up next and connected on a single through the left side advancing Giesler to second base. At the plate next would be sophomore infielder Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) which led to a fly out to right field that wasn't for nothing as it allowed Giesler to get to third base. In the end JWU would have the last laugh during that frame of action as they escaped the inning without getting scored on.
• In the bottom of the seventh inning, Olson tried to provide a spark in the NEC offense with a double down the left field line but couldn't turn into anything as JWU's defense put a stop to any possibility of a NEC run to come in resulting in the Wildcats claiming the game two 3-0 win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Lopez and Montero both ended game two going one-for-three along with recording a stolen base each respectively. Olson would also go one-for-three and Grimes managed to collect a stolen base.
• Freshman pitcher Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) would suffer the loss after allowing six hits, letting in three runs with two earned, two balls, and two strikeouts.
• Lyons was the star that shined the brightest in game two of the conference doubleheader tallying two hits but none bigger than hitting the two-run homerun that solidified the Wildcats win.
• Junior pitcher Jillian Reed (Burlington, N.J.) earned the win allowing only five hits, a walk, and three strikeouts with no runs.

 
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