Kayla Nuehlen and parents on Senior Day to highlight her four year career for the Lions (PHOTO BY Andrew Monson) |
BOSTON, Mass. (May 1, 2026) – Emerson College scored 13 runs in the first inning of game one on its way to a 16-4 victory before Salve Regina University rebounded with a 5-1 decision in game two of a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) softball doubleheader at Lester Rotch Field this afternoon.
Prior to the games, Emerson took a moment to recognize its two seniors and families for their contribution to the program. Playing their final home games this afternoon were infielder Bri Frongillo, who joined the team late in the season, and four-year catcher Kayla Nuehlen.
Game 1: Emerson 16, Salve Regina 4 (5-innings)
Emerson hit through the lineup twice, sending 19 batters to the plate to score 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning and didn't look back in winning game one in five innings. All nine Lions in the lineup reached base, with eight driving in at least one run and five with multiple RBI in the contest.
Fasteau posted three hits and drove in two runs, while scoring two more, for the Lions in game one. (PHOTO BY Andrew Monson) |
Sophomore Riley Fasteau led Emerson's 14-hit attack by finishing 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while first year Aislinn McCoy went 2-for-4 with a triple, run scored and three RBI. First year Casey Yacovelli hit 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored, while Frongillo and first year Valentina Luciano each contributed a pair of RBI.
Junior Cal Sheehan earned the win in the circle for Emerson (6-11), allowing four runs, just two earned, on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks over five innings. She also helped her cause at the plate, hitting 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Junior Emily Cronin was 3-for-3 at the plate for Salve Regina with a pair of doubles, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Senior Caroline Peterson took the loss (1-17), surrendering 11 runs, only two earned, on seven hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts in two thirds of an inning.
Salve struck in the top of the first with an RBI double down the rightfield line by Cronin, but the lead was short lived when Emerson plated 13 in the home half to take quick control of the game. The Lions loaded the bases with one out after a lead off single by Luciano, a walk and error, and then scored their first five runs by playing station to station with RBI singles from sophomore Kari Sorensen, Sheehan and Fasteau before Frongillo and Luciano drew bases loaded walks. McCoy broke the game open with a bases clearing three-run triple and then scored on an RBI single through the left side by sophomore Avi Kuperman. Yacovelli added an RBI double to center and Sheehan registered an RBI single to left before the Lions got a run on a throwing error and Frongillo capped the scoring with an RBI single to right for her first collegiate hit.
Fasteau reached on an infield single and was driven in by Luciano in the third inning and then the Lions added a pair in the fourth to take a 16-3 lead. Kuperman drew a lead off walk in the fourth and later scored on a wild pitch before Fasteau drove in Yacovelli who had reached on an infield single. Cronin capped the scoring in the contest with Salve's first home run of the season to lead off the fifth.
Game 2: Salve Regina 5, Emerson 1
McCoy highlighted the Lions 13-run first inning in game one with a bases clearing three-run triple. (PHOTO BY Andrew Monson) |
Emily Cronin powered Salve to the win in game two, breaking up a scoreless game with a two-run home run in the top of the sixth to send the Seahawks to victory. She finished 1-for-3 at the plate with the two RBI and two runs scored, while senior Skylar Wicklund went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Junior Gracie Keyes and freshman Tori Geisser each doubled for the Seahawks.
Junior Shea Murphy earned the win in the circle for Salve (3-15) as she allowed the one earned run on six hits with five strikeouts and just one walk over seven innings. Junior Kate Regan pitched well in defeat (1-10) for Emerson, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits and a walk over six innings.
Kari Sorensen hit 2-for-3 for Emerson in game two, while Cal Sheehan posted an RBI double. Casey Yacovelli batted 1-for-3 with a run scored.
After combining for 20 runs in five innings in game one, neither team could get to Murphy and Regan until the sixth inning in game two. Salve left the bases loaded in the third and Emerson stranded two runners in scoring position in the fourth. Wicklund led off the sixth with an infield single and then Cronin followed with her second home run of the afternoon to center to break the scoreless tie. Keyes followed with a double to left center and then scored on Geisser's two out double to left center.
Emerson got a run back in the home half of the sixth as Yacovelli led off with a single and then scored on Sheehan's double to left with one out. Murphy retired the next two batters to preserve the lead and then the Seahawks added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh with the benefit of three Emerson errors. Murphy closed the win out by retiring the Lions in order in the bottom of the frame.
Up Next
Emerson (7-21, 4-13 NEWMAC) is right back in action tomorrow when it closes out the 2026 season with a NEWMAC doubleheader at Wheaton College starting at noon. Salve Regina sees its season finish on a winning note at 4-34 overall and 1-19 in NEWMAC play.
For the latest on Emerson Athletics, follow the Lions via social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well as online at emersonlions.com powered by SIDEARM Sports.
