Blue Softball Takes 15-3 Game Two Victory to Split with Babson

BABSON PARK, Mass. — Wellesley College softball earned a big 15-3 victory in game two of a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference doubleheader over Babson College on Friday afternoon at Alumni Field. After dropping a 7-5 decision in the opener, the Blue lineup powered out 14 hits and 15 runs to take a 15-3 victory in the nightcap. Wellesley improves to 7-5 overall and 1-1 in NEWMAC play. Babson moves to 11-9 overall and 3-3 in NEWMAC games.  

Game One: Babson 7, Wellesley 5 

Wellesley got out to a a good start in game one, scoring pair of runs in the top of the first inning. First year Amanda Manning (Durham, Calif.) drew a one-out walk to get the Blue started. Manning then moved to third on a double by senior Maria LaBouyer (Yuba City, Calif.), eventually scoring the game's first run when sophomore Anna Pisac (Snohomish, Wa.) reached on a fielders choice that resulted in an error. Pisac would also score on an error later in the inning to give the Blue a 2-0 lead.  

Babson got a run back in the bottom of the second inning as first year Samantha Smith (Hillsborough, N.J.) scored from second thanks to a two-out double from senior Meghan Hayes (Robbinsville, N.J.). Hayes, the Babson starting pitcher in game one, recorded a pair of hits in the contest while pitching a complete game and striking out a pair to improve to 8-2 on the season. 

Following a scoreless third inning, the Blue got the run back in the top of the fourth when junior Carly Bresse (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) singled to open the inning. Bresse then scored after advancing to second on a wild pitch, stealing third and crossing home on another wild pitch.  

The lone run in the top of the inning wasn't enough for Wellesley as the Beavers struck back for four runs in the home half of the frame. Junior Maya Lacy (East Mill Creek, Utah) delivered the big blast, launching a three-run home run down the left field line to cap off a four-run inning and give Babson a 5-3 advantage. 

The hosts added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, with Lacy again driving home a run, this time on a sacrifice fly, after sophomore Meaghan Merullo (Winchester, Mass.) drove home Lindsey Schmid (New Canaan, Conn.) with a fielder's choice ground out earlier in the inning. 

Trailing 7-3, Wellesley rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Following a pair of quick outs, Jaclyn Tsang (Manalapan, N.J.) reached on a single before advancing to second on a stolen base. Sophomore Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) then brought Tsang around to score with her fifth double of the season. LaBoyer then drove home Kendra Coleman with a single but the Blue would fall a pair of runs short, going scoreless in the seventh, as Babson closed out the 7-5 win. 

Game Two: Wellesley 15, Babson 3 (5 innings)

The Blue wasted little time getting out to an advantage in game two, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning before adding seven in the top of the second to take a commanding 10-1 lead. 

Kendra Coleman and Manning drew back-to-back walks to open the contest before LaBoyer drove home the first of her game-high five RBIs with a single to left centerfield. Ashtyn Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) then followed with a double to left field to score Manning and move LaBoyer to third. LaBoyer would complete the trip around the bases later in the inning when Bresee grounded out to second to drive home the Blue's second baseman. 

Babson added a run in the bottom of the first inning but it did little to slow the Blue's momentum, as Wellesley pushed across seven runs in the top of the second thanks in part to a pair of three-run home runs. 

Senior Mariah Philips (Palo Alto, Calif.) walked to open the inning before advancing to second on a sacrifice and scoring on a double to centerfield by Kendra Coleman. With Coleman on second, Manning then legged out an infield single before LaBoyer went yard for the first time this season, delivering a home run over the left centerfield fence. 

Leading 7-1, with four runs already on the board in the inning, the Blue would tack on three more thanks to the bat of Pisac. After LaBoyer cleared the bases, Ashtyn Coleman reached on an error before Bresse reached on a two-out single to left. Pisac then hit her first home run of the season, sending a shot to left field to make the score 10-1. 

First year Julia Warner quickly retired Babson in the bottom half of the inning, allowing the Wellesley bats to get back to work in the top of the third. Warner pitched five innings to earn her third victory of the season (3-2), striking out three. 

In the top of third, LaBoyer knocked in her fifth and final run of the game, scoring Kendra Coleman after Coleman had reached on an error to start the inning. Ashtyn Coleman then drove in LaBoyer with her second double of the contest, before Bresse picked up her second RBI of the game with a single up the middle. Bresse would finish with three RBIs in the contest, also tying with LaBoyer for team-high honors with three hits. 

Wellesley softball will return home tomorrow for a pair of NEWMAC games against Smith. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 2:00 PM. Babson will host Coast Guard, also in NEWMAC play, tomorrow beginning at noon.