Leopards Lose Offensive Battle to Emmanuel

BOSTON, Mass. – In a Colleges of the Fenway rivalry featuring a combined 30 runs scored, the Emmanuel College softball team manufactured eight runs in the fifth inning to defeat Wentworth Institute of Technology, 19-11.  The non-conference win under the lights at Roberto Clemente Field pushed the Saints to 5-7 on the year, while the Leopards are still seeking their first win of the season at 0-17.

Wentworth jumped out to a quick two-run lead when senior catcher Bridget Souza (Medford, Mass.) knocked a two-run homer over the fence with two down in the first inning.  The Saints fired back in the bottom of the frame with singles from Heather Hamel (Belchertown, Mass.) and Julia Levins (Uxbridge, Mass.). Freshman third baseman Cyndi Sperl (Chatham, N.Y.) scored on a passed ball and rookie shortstop Sierra Roccaro (Parlin, N.J.) drove in a Hamel.  Levins' hit then knocked in Jackie Murray (Saugus, Mass.), who had reached on a walk. An error in the Leopards' outfield helped score Levins and the Saints took a 4-2 lead.

Wentworth was held scoreless in the third, but the Saints managed to tack on four more runs off of four hits in the bottom of the frame.  Junior first baseman Elyse Turgeon (Dracut, Mass.) led off with a hit.  Sperl singled and freshman second baseman Marissa Mazzotta (Westerley, R.I.) hit a two-run double.  Murray laid down a perfect bunt to move the runners.  Rocarro and Levins then notched their second RBI of the game, to put the Saints up, 8-2.

Haylee Bacik (Lowell, Mass.) led off an eight-run fourth inning with a double for the Leopards. A single by Randi Swihart (Gardner, Mass.) and a three-run homer over the centerfield fence by senior third baseman Lizz Harvey (McConnellsburg, Pa.), combined with several Emmanuel defensive errors, helped the Leopards regain the lead at 10-8.

A scoreless fourth for the Saints gave way to an eight-run fifth for the hosts.  Levins singled for her third hit of the night. Junior centerfielder Chelsey Guselli (Methuen, Mass.) walked and classmate Kristen Landers (Worcester, Mass.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Turgeon, who singled to kick off the scoring spree.  The Leopards' pitcher threw an illegal pitch, which scored Guselli for the tying run at 10-all. Hamel hit an RBI single for the go-ahead run. When the fifth finally came to a close, the Saints had taken a 16-10 lead.

Wentworth led off the sixth with a single from Amanda O'Neil (Revere, Mass.). Harvey reached on a fielder's choice and then scored on a Saints' defensive error, giving the Leopards their final run of the night.  Emmanuel put together three more runs in the bottom of the side to end the game after six innings played.

Freshman third baseman Kayla Howard (Belmont, N.H.) led off with a double and Hamel pushed her home with an RBI single to give the hosts a 17-11 lead.  Sophomore pitcher Kelly Lloid (Issaquah, Wash.) smashed a double, which scored Hamel, putting Emmanuel up seven.  Roccaro walked to set up some heroics for Levins, who smashed an RBI triple into center field.  Levins went 4 for 5 on the night and her game-ending triple represented her fourth RBI of the game, as the Saints pulled away with a 19-11 walk off win.

Three pitchers shared time on the mound for the Saints.  Junior Kathryne Copp pitched the first three innings, facing 13 batters and striking out three.  Levins pitched an inning and was relieved by Lloid, who earned the win for the Saints.  Rookie hurler Stephanie MacLeay (Ashley Falls, Mass.) and Harvey shared time pitching for the Leopards.

Emmanuel travels across town to Emerson College for a GNAC doubleheader, beginning at 3:00 on Friday, while Wentworth resumes The Commonwealth Coast Conference play with a doubleheader at Nichols on Thursday.