SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- The Emerson College softball team claimed a 1-0 victory before dropping an 8-7 decision at Springfield in the first New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference games of the season Saturday afternoon.
GAME ONE
THE BASICS:
Score: Emerson 1, Springfield 0
Records: Lions (9-6, 1-0 NEWMAC) | Pride (9-6, 0-1 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Emerson scored the game's only run in the top of the first inning. Riley Caiazza (Schaghticoke, N.Y.) laced a single to right field to drive in Sam Zannotti (Dudley, Mass.).
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Riley Caiazza (Schaghticoke, N.Y.) notched a pair of hits and one RBI.
- Sam Zannotti (Dudley, Mass.) finished with one base knock, one stolen base, and a run scored.
- In the pitcher's circle, Caleigh Sheehan (Bolton, Conn.) tossed her fifth complete game of the season and recorded 10 strikeouts.
GAME TWO
THE BASICS:
Score: Emerson 7, Springfield 8
Records: Lions (9-7, 1-1 NEWMAC) | Pride (10-6, 1-1 NEWMAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Springfield jumped out to an early 5-0 lead with five runs in the bottom of the first inning.
- Emerson answered with three runs in the top of the second to cut the deficit to 5-3. Ally Lacey (Londonderry, N.H.) roped a bases-clearing double to drive in Caleigh Sheehan (Bolton, Conn.), Avi Kuperman (Newton, Mass.), and Riley Caiazza (Schaghticoke, N.Y.).
- The Lions plated a pair of runs in the fourth to level the contest at 5-5. Carly Rosenberger (Conshohocken, Pa.) landed a double in right field to knock in Caleigh Sheehan (Bolton, Conn.) and Danica Miles (Toms River, N.J.).
- The visitors chalked up one run in the fifth inning to snag a 6-5 edge. Ally Lacey (Londonderry, N.H.) flared a base hit to right field to score Jessica Gomez (West Chester, Pa.) from third base.
- Springfield responded with two runs in the home half of the fifth to seize a 7-6 advantage.
- Emerson pulled even at 7-7 with one run in the top of the sixth frame. Jess Gomez (West Chester, Pa.) slapped a double to right field to drive in Sam Zannotti (Dudley, Mass.).
- The Pride reclaimed a one-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, 8-7.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Ally Lacey (Londonderry, N.H.) posted four RBIs and two hits.
- Caleigh Sheehan (Bolton, Conn.) racked up three base hits, two runs scored, and one stolen base.
- Jessica Gomez (West Chester, Pa.) collected two hits, one RBI, and one run scored.
- Riley Caiazza (Schaghticoke, N.Y.) added two base knocks and scored one run.
- Kate Regan (Manchester, Conn.) started in the pitcher's circle and tossed one-third of inning. Jessica Gomez (West Chester, Pa.) worked 4.2 innings of relief and fanned two batters. Caleigh Sheehan (Bolton, Conn.) threw one frame of relief and registered one strikeout.
ON DECK:
Emerson hosts WPI April 3 in a conference series.