Softball Takes Two From Wheelock

BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Vanessa Weymouth (Fremont, N.H.) recorded four hits on the day and sophomores Hayley Rutkey (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) and Erica Norquist (Rutland, Mass.) each picked up wins in the circle as the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader over Wheelock. The Leopards took the first game, 3-2, and won the nightcap, 9-1.

Game One:  Wentworth 3, Wheelock 2
Wentworth jumped out to 2-0 lead in the first inning in the home half of the Weymouth and freshman Rebecca Wehrle (South Amboy, N.J.) started the game with back-to-back walks and junior Rachel Willcutt (Tilton, N.H.) singled to load the bases. Senior Kelsey Gorski (Killingworth, Conn.) reached on a fielder's choice which erased Weymouth trying to score and moved Willcutt to third. On the play, Wehrle scored before the ball was back in the circle. Gorski moved to second on a passed ball and the bases were loaded again when junior Megan Berryman (Middleboro, Mass.) walked. Freshman Deanna DiPilato (Worcester, Mass.) lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Willcutt.

The Leopards made it 3-0 in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Wehrle. Sophomore Emily Winter (Stratford, Conn.) reached on an error and went to second when Weymouth singled and scored on Wehrle's single to left. Wentworth had the bases loaded with one out, however could not add to its lead.

Wheelock pulled within a run in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Samantha Leahon (Castleton, N.Y.) led off with a single and was erased at second when junior Rachel Simpson (Littleton, Mass.) hit into a fielder's choice. Freshman Hanna Gootee (Hampton, N.H.) followed with a two-run home run to left field. Looking to tie the game, Rutkey set the Wildcats down in order in the seventh.

Rutkey picked up the win as she allowed two runs on five hits, walked one, and struck out three. Weymouth, Wehrle, and Gorski each had a pair of hits while Wehrle also had two RBI.

Gootee was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and also had two RBI. Five different players had hits for Wheelock.

Game Two:  Wentworth 9, Wheelock 1 (5)
Wentworth scored three times in the second inning as freshman Haley Hohlmaier (Johnston, R.I.) led off with a single, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. With one out, sophomore Libby White (Pittsfield, Mass.) had a bunt single which scored Hohlmaier. Weymouth singled and went to second after White went to third on an error White scored on a wild pitch and Wehrle followed with a walk to load the bases. Gorski lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Weymouth.

The Leopards added a single run in the third inning when White grounded out to score Hohlmaier who had opened the inning by reaching on an error. An inning later Wentworth tacked on three more runs when Wehrle scored on a wild pitch and Hohlmaier had a two-run, ground rule double.

Wheelock got on the board in the top of the fifth inning, thanks in part to two Leopard errors. Leahon opened the inning by reaching on an error, and, after an out was recorded, Gootee reached on a two-base error which moved Leahon to third. Senior Brianna Hochwarter (Attleboro, mass.) grounded out to score Leahon.

Weymouth opened the bottom of the fifth with a single and went to second on an error. Wehrle walked and, after an out was recorded, Gorski hit into a fielder's choice where Weymouth would be safe at third after an error. Berryman reached on a fielder's choice where Weymouth would be thrown out trying to score before Rutkey ended the game with a ground-rule double down the right field line which scored Wehrle and Gorski.

Norquist allowed one unearned run on five hits and struck out two to record the win. Hohlmaier was 2-for-3 with two RBI while Weymouth had two more hits and Berryman drove in two runs.

Senior Maggie Doyle (Kingston, Mass.) took the loss in 1.1 innings of work before Gootee came on in relief. Five different players had hits for the Wildcats.

Wentworth (4-23) is at Nichols on Tuesday.

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