BASICS
Game 1 Score: Emerson 0, Springfield 1
Game 2 Score: Emerson 1, Springfield 10
Team Records: Emerson - 7-7, NEWMAC 0-2; Springfield - 13-2-1, NEWMAC 2-0
Game 1 Pitching: WP - Amelia DeRosa (6-2); LP - Caleigh Sheehan (4-2)
Game 2 Pitching: WP - Ashley Pugliese (1-0); LP - Jessica Gomez (2-5)
Venue & Location: Rotch Field; Boston, Mass.
Date & Times: March 30, 2024; 1:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m.

THE LEAD
Boston, Mass. - Emerson and Springfield opened their respective NEWMAC schedules with a doubleheader at Rotch Field. The first game was the definition of a pitcher's duel with neither team tallying more than three hits in the contest, but Springfield would come out on top, 1-0. The second game was completely different for Springfield, who rode a 13-hit performance to a 10-1 win over their hosts. Emerson moves to 7-7 on the season and starts their NEWMAC schedule 2-0, while the Pride pick up their 12th and 13th wins of the season and start conference play 2-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Emerson (Game 1)
- Caleigh Sheehan (GS, L): 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 HA, 6 SO
- Sam Zannotti (1-3): 2B
- Makenzie Killough (1-3): 2B

Emerson (Game 2)
- Jessica Gomez (GS, L): 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 HA, 5 SO
- Kate Regan; 1.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 HA, 2 BB
- Grace Beaulieu (1-2): BB, SO, 2 SB

Springfield (Game 1)
- Amelia DeRosa (GS, W): 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 HA, 5 SO; 1-3, 1 RBI
- Alli Olsen (1-2): 1 R
- Callie Gendron (1-3): 2 SO

Springfield (Game 2)
- Ashley Pugliese (GS, W): 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 HA, 6 SO, 3 BB
- Carissa Pecchia (3-4): 1 RBI
- Breannah McCann (2-4): 2 RBI, 2 R

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Game 1: The first game of the afternoon saw stellar pitching performances from both teams' starters. Caleigh Sheehan started in the circle for the Lions and had one of her best games of the season thus far, going all seven innings and giving up just one unearned run on three hits and striking out six. Apart from a single by Kit Zenga (1st inning) and doubles by Sam Zannotti (3rd inning) and Makenzie Killough (4th inning), Emerson's offense was stifled. Springfield scored the first and only run of the game for both teams in the 6th inning. A Pride batter singled and advanced to second base on a throwing error, and was later brought around on a single up the middle. Emerson went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings, sealing the win for Springfield.
- Game 2: Emerson's offense was similarly shut down in the second game of the afternoon. The Lions' three hits were each credited to Izzi Shaffer (1st inning), Claire Overton (1st inning), and Grace Beaulieu (2nd inning), while walks were drawn by Zannotti (1st inning) and Beaulieu (5th inning). Beaulieu also stole two bases. The Lions' sole run of the game came when Zannotti scored on a fielder's choice in the 1st inning. In the other dugout, Springfield had an offensive explosion, tallying 10 runs on 13 hits. Five of those runs came in the 4th inning, and the last three were scored in the 7th. Jessica Gomez started game two for Emerson, giving up seven runs on nine hits to go with five strikeouts, although only two of those runs were earned. 

NEXT UP
Softball hosts UMass Boston for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 2. Game one is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., while game two is slated to begin at 5:00 p.m. The Beacons are currently 16-2 on the season.