Softball Rallies to Split with Suffolk

EAST BOSTON, Mass. – Scoring four runs over the final three innings, the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team picked up its first win of the season (1-7) with a 4-2 win over Suffolk (9-13) in the nightcap of a doubleheader. The Rams had taken the opener, 7-3.

GAME ONE:  Suffolk 7, Wentworth 3

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders:  Jacqueline Kassis (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Kaitlin Pettenger (2-for-4, 1 RBI)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders:  Kayla DeMedeiros ((L, 0-4) 4 IP, 6 R (3 earned), 1 K), Erin Hancock (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After a leadoff single, Suffolk took a 2-0 lead on a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Rams had a runner on third with one out, however, a double play ended the inning.
• The top of the third inning saw Wentworth cut the lead in half. Junior Sabrina Haarstick (Medway, Mass.) walked and went to second on a bunt single from senior Jacqueline Kassis (Walpole, Mass.). Sophomore Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) plated Haarstick with a one-out, RBI double. In the bottom of the inning, Suffolk increased its lead to 4-1, scoring on a fielder's choice and a Leopard error. The Rams loaded the bases with two outs, however a ground out kept it a two-run inning.
• Suffolk added two runs in the fourth on a two-run home run and upped its lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI single.
• Wentworth scored twice in the top of the seventh to make it 7-3. Kassis hit a one-out single and went to third on a Pettenger single. After Pettenger stole second putting two runners in scoring position, junior Briana Beverly (Pawcatuck, Conn.) grounded out to score Kassis and move Pettenger to third. Pettenger scored on a wild pitch.
• Senior Kayla DeMedeiros (North Dartmouth, Mass.) took the loss (0-4), allowing six runs (three earned) in four innings of work. Sophomore Erin Hancock (Holden, Mass.) pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out two. Kassis was 2-for-3 with a run scored and Pettenger was 2-for-4 with one run scored and one run batted in.

GAME TWO:  Wentworth 4, Suffolk 2

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Wentworth Batting Leaders:  Kaitlin Pettenger (1-for-2, 1 R, 2 BB), Erin Hancock (1-for-2, 1 R), Briana Beverly (1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB), Brionna Myers (1-for-3, 1 R)
Wentworth Pitching Leaders:  Kayla DeMedeiros (4 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K), Erin Hancock ((W, 1-3) 1 R, 3 H, 2 K)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Suffolk took a 1-0 lead in the home half of the third inning as the hosts loaded the bases with three straight singles and then a hit by pitch brought in the run. However, Wentworth turned a double play and got a ground out, preventing the Rams from scoring more than once in the inning.
• Wentworth tied the game in the fifth when senior Brionna Myers (Seabrook, N.H.) led off with a single and went to second on a junior Isabelle Frank (Dix Hills, N.Y.) sacrifice. With two outs, Pettenger singled to move Myers to third and both players advanced on an error.
• Hancock led off the sixth with a single and went to second on a junior Ceilidh Higgins (Medway, Mass.) sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Julia Bollentin (South Kingstown, R.I.) delivered a single which moved Hancock to third and an error allowed her to score and Bollentin to go to second, giving the Black & Gold a 2-1 lead.
• Wentworth upped its lead to 4-1 with a pair of runs in the seventh inning. With one out, Pettenger drew a walk and went to second on a Beverly single. Hancock reached on an error with two outs which allowed both Pettenger and Beverly to score.
• Suffolk got a run back in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out solo home run and followed that with a single, bringing the tying run to the plate. Hancock got a pop out to end the game.
• Hancock got the win (1-3) in relief, allowing one run on three hits and striking out two. DeMedeiros started and went the first four, allowing one run on eight hits and striking out two. Six different players recorded a hit for the Leopards, including Pettenger who walked twice.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• Today marked the 16th and 17th meetings between the two teams. Suffolk holds a 14-3 series advantage.

NEXT UP:

• The two teams play a doubleheader at Wentworth on Tuesday beginning at 3:30 pm.

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