Wellesley Splits Double-Header with WPI on Senior Day

WELLESLEY, Mass. – The Wellesley College softball team split a NEWMAC doubleheader against WPI on Saturday afternoon in Wellesley. The Blue shutout the Engineers in game one by a 4-0 score, while WPI rebounded in game two with a 7-2 victory.

With the split, Wellesley falls to second place in the NEWMAC standings, with an 11-3 conference record, the Blue are 17-9 overall.  WPI's NEWMAC record moves to 8-5 and 19-8 overall.

Prior to game one, Wellesley acknowledged the senior members of both teams.  For Wellesley, senior first baseman Jayne Ellis, third baseman Jennifer Migliore, and pitcher Lindsay Johnson were honored by the team. 

In game one, Johnson pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits and no walks, complimented by six strikeouts.   The senior pitcher escaped a jam in the first, stranding a runner on a diving catch by shortstop Emilyrose Havrilla.  The win improved Johnson's record to 9-5.

WPI first-year pitcher Caroline Medino took the loss in game one.  Medino and Clare Doolin combined to strand eight Wellesley baserunners, but Medino allowed a run in the second and Doolin gave up three more in the fifth.  Wellesley was able to capitalize on two walks, a WPI error, and having two batters hit by pitches to score in the fifth.  The inning was highlighted by RBI base hits from Anna Pisac and Kendra Coleman.

Johnson again got the start for Wellesley College in the second game of the doubleheader, but was outdueled by WPI's Doolin.  WPI jumped in front early, scoring a run in the first thanks to a leadoff double from senior centerfielder Nicole McDonough and an RBI triple by first-year shortstop Kristin Gallagher.

The Engineers chased Johnson with four more runs in the third inning, with three of those runs coming on back-to-back doubles by senior outfielder Ali Larue and first-year catcher Lindsay Gurska.  WPI added two more in the fifth off of Wellesley sophomore pitcher Amber Braun before Wellesley finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a two-RBI double from first-year catcher Ashtyn Coleman.  Wellesley threatened again in the seventh, but Medino relieved Doolin, recording the final out for the save, and leaving the go-ahead run in the on-deck circle.

Wellesley softball is back in action on Monday, as they host a non-conference game against Amherst College while WPI is set to host a makeup game against Springfield College on Tuesday.