BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Megan Berryman (Middleboro, Mass.) recorded four hits and drove in three runs on the day as the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team split a pair of Commonwealth Coast Conference contests with Eastern Nazarene. The Leopards took game one, 4-3, in nine innings before falling, 9-0, in the nightcap.
Game One: Wentworth 4, Eastern Nazarene 3 (9)
Wentworth picked up its first victory since March 17, 2016, and its first CCC win since March 24, 2012, as freshman Rebecca Wehrle (South Amboy, N.J.) provided the heroics with a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Leopards took a 2-0 lead in the home half of the inning as junior Vanessa Weymouth (Fremont, N.H.) hit a one-out single and went to second on a junior Rachel Willcutt (Tilton, N.H.) single. Both players advanced on a sacrifice bunt from senior Kelsey Gorski (Killingworth, Conn.) and Berryman sent them both home when she hit a two-run double to left center.
Eastern Nazarene narrowed the gap to 2-1, scoring a run with two outs on a freshman Kayleen Garrick (Sparks, Nev.) double to center. Freshman Kori Bow (Shattsbury, Vt.) singled and went to second on a junior Heidi Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.) single before Garrick's double brought them both home. An inning later the Lions tied the game when sophomore Viviana Coix (Warrenville, Ill.), who led off by reaching on an error, scored on a single from junior Emily Gomez (Floral Park, N.Y.). Eastern Nazarene had runners on first and second, however a fly out ended the Lions' chance to bring in the go-ahead run.
In both the fifth and sixth innings Eastern Nazarene left two runners on base, however sophomore Erica Norquist (Rutland, Mass.) left them stranded. Wentworth had a chance to win in the bottom of the seventh as Weymouth delivered a two-out single and stole second, however would be left there on a ground out.
The Lions took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth on a Heidi Gomez home run with two outs, however the Leopards evened the game in the home half of the inning when Berryman doubled in Willcutt, who started the inning on second base.
In the ninth inning Garrick started on second and went to third on a sacrifice bunt form sophomore Tylan Onorato (Wiscassett, Maine) but Norquist got a popup and a fly out to end the inning. Sophomore Emily Winter (Stratford, Conn.) began the home half of the ninth on second and went to third on a sacrifice by Rutkey. Wehrle then hit a 2-0 pitch into left to end the game.
Norquist improved to 1-8 on the year as she allowed three runs (two earned) and scattered a dozen hits. Berryman was 3-for-4 with three RBI while Wehrle, Weymouth, Willcutt, and Gorski each had two hits.
Freshman Elisabeth Schaeffer (Benton, Pa.) allowed an unearned run on one hit in an inning of work to take the loss (8-7). Heidi Gomez was 3-for-4 while Emily Gomez, sophomore Laura Weidler (Lansdale, Pa.), and Garrick each collected two hits. Heidi Gomez pitched the first 7.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on 11 hits, and striking out six.
Game Two: Eastern Nazarene 9, Wentworth 0 (5)
Eastern Nazarene got the only run it would need in the top of the first inning when Garrick scored on a wild pitch. The Lions added a run in the third when sophomore Lauren Clements (Garrison, Texas) walked with the bases loaded.
The Lions scored three times in the fourth as Heidi Gomez and Garrick each had RBI singles and Coix reached on an error which allowed Garrick to score. Eastern Nazarene made it 6-0 in the top of the fifth when Heidi Gomez reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Clements to score.
Eastern Nazarene rounded out the scoring in the sixth on an RBI double from Weidler, and RBI from Schaeffer, and an RBI single from Bow.
Schaeffer picked up the win (9-7) as she yielded just one hit and struck out eight. Coix, Clements, and Bow had two hits apiece in the win.
Rutkey took the loss as she allowed two runs in three innings before giving way to Norquist. Berryman had the lone Leopard hit.
Wentworth (1-18, 1-11) is at Mass. Maritime on Tuesday. Eastern Nazarene (16-13, 5-9) is also in action on Tuesday, hosting Elms.
For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Wentworth Leopards "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
