Wellesley Softball Scores 23 Runs in Sweep of Coast Guard

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Wellesley College softball team scored 23 times in two games, as the Blue grabbed a NEWMAC doubleheader sweep on the road at Coast Guard on Sunday afternoon. The Blue rallied from a two-run deficit early in game one to post a 12-4, six-inning victory before claiming an 11-8 triumph in the nightcap.

The wins improve Wellesley to 11-7 overall, 9-1 in the NEWMAC. Coast Guard dips to 8-14 overall, 1-7 in the NEWMAC with the losses. 

Three players recorded multiple hits as Wellesley used a five-run fourth inning to rally from an early 3-1 deficit to claim a 12-4, six-inning victory over Coast Guard in the opener. Senior starter Lindsay Johnson (6-4) went the distance to pick up the victory allowing four runs on eight hits and five walks but was able to avoid major damage by recording seven strikeouts on the afternoon.

Wellesley struck first in the opening inning when first baseman Jayne Ellis' (3-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs) single to third plated catcher Ashtyn Coleman (3-3, RBI, 2 runs) with the game's first run. The Bears would get the run back in the bottom half when left fielder Erin Reynolds (1-3, RBI) delivered a one-out single down the left field line to plate second baseman Erin Lisko (2-3, 2 RBI, run).

A two-run single by Lisko in the second gave Coast Guard a 3-1 lead, their only lead of the ball game. The next half inning, the Blue came charging back by scoring three runs on three hits and an error while setting themselves up with runners on first and third and two outs. Left fielder Anna Pisac (1-4, RBI, run) then lined a ball to left but Coast Guard was unable to make the playing resulting in a three-base error and allowing a pair of runs to come across for a 6-3 Wellesley lead.

Coast Guard would get one run back in the bottom of the fourth when a double to left center by Richardson scored shortstop Morgan Kingston and nearly plated Lisko. A perfect relay would spoil the chance for a two-run hit as Pisac connected with shortstop Emilyrose Havrilla whose relay throw found Ashtyn Coleman ready to apply the tag to Lisko at home.

Wellesley pushed four more runs across in the top of the fifth to extend their lead to 10-4 before putting things away in the sixth. With one out, third baseman Kendra Coleman (1-3, 3 RBI, run) lined a two-run double to right center to put the Blue in line for a shortened victory. A scoreless Coast Guard sixth would confirm the mercy rule as Wellesley hung on for the 12-4 victory.

Ashtyn Coleman led off with a home run to straightaway center field on the third pitch of the game to set the tone as Wellesley won game two by a final count of 11-8. Wellesley scored twice more in the inning to put themselves up big early.

Coast Guard rallied in the bottom half, scoring four runs – including three on wild pitches – highlighted by a single to right by Erin Reynolds (1-3, RBI, 2 runs) to plate Jessie Richardson (2-4, 2 runs).

The Blue hung crooked numbers in each of the first three innings en route to building a solid 8-4 lead over the home-standing Bears. Coast Guard would get a run back in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 8-5 when Morgan Kingston's RBI-groundout plated center fielder Kaitlin Ward (1-3, run).

Wellesley bounced back with what appeared to be a knockout blow in the next half inning when center fielder Jaclyn Tsang (3-5, 3 RBI, 3 runs) lined a deep drive to center field that cleared the fence for a three-run homer and an 11-5 lead for the Blue.

The Bears rallied in the seventh to make things interesting. The first three batters of the inning would all reach and come around to score with just one out having been recorded in the inning, cutting a six-run deficit in half to three runs. With a runner on first and two outs, Sara Cammuso coaxed a walk out of Wellesley starter Amber Braun (7-3) to bring the tying run to the plate. The threat would be dealt with when Braun got Kingston to pop up to end the threat and the game with Wellesley clinging to an 11-8 victory.

The Blue are back in action on Wednesday, traveling to Endicott for a non-conference twinbill beginning at 3:00pm. Coast Guard returns to the field on Tuesday, hosting Wesleyan for a non-conference doubleheader at 3:00pm.