MIT Tops Wellesley Softball on Senior Day

WELLESLEY, Mass. — Visiting Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) swept to a pair of New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victories over host Wellesley College softball on Saturday afternoon at the Wellesley Outdoor Fields Complex. The Engineers held on for a 1-0 victory in game one before rallying for five runs in the top of the seventh inning to take game two, 7-6.

With the sweep, MIT improves to 22-4 overall and 14-2 in conference, while Wellesley drops to 14-12 and 7-8 in NEWMAC games. 

Game One: MIT 1, Wellesley 0 

MIT junior Tori Jensen (Holliston, mass.) provided the only run in game one. With two outs in the top of the sixth inning, the MIT catcher hit a solo home run, her first of the season, over the centerfield fence to give MIT the 1-0 advantage. 

Jensen's blast to centerfield was more than enough run support for starter Ellie Fodor (Trenton, Mich.) as she set down the Blue in order in both bottom of the sixth and seventh innings. Fedor finished her outing with four 1-2-3 innings, striking out seven, not issuing a walk and only giving up four hits to improve to 12-2 on the season. Fedor also finished as the only multi-hit player in the contest, going 2-for-3. 

Wellesley first year Madeline Bianchi (Lakeville, Minn.) was also impressive, surrendering only seven hits and one walk while striking out three in a complete game effort for the Blue. Bianchi dropped to 9-6 with the decision. 

Seniors Abby Casey (Milford, Conn.) and Maria LaBouyer (Yuba City, Calif.) and sophomores Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Anna Pisac (Snohomish, Wa.) each recorded hits for the Blue in game one. 

Game Two: MIT 7, Wellesley 6

MIT scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning to rally from a 5-2 deficit and win game two. 

The Engineers scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, taking an early lead thanks to back-to-back hits from first year Amanda Lee (Saratoga, Calif.) and Jensen. Jasmin Joseph (Woodland Hills, calif.) opened the inning with a single down the left field line, later scoring when Lee ripped a triple to right. Lee then scored from third on an RBI base hit up the middle from Jensen. 

MIT only held on to the 2-0 lead until the bottom of the second when Wellesley scored four runs on three hits and an MIT throwing error. After senior Emilyrose Havrilla (Caldwell, N.J.) walked to open the inning, senior Mariah Philips (Palo Alto, Calif.) put down a bunt single to give the Blue two-on with no outs. Havrilla then scored when a snap throw for the MIT catcher went into right field, also allowing Philips to move to third base. Philips would then tie the game, at 2-2, by scoring on a wild pitch. 

With the bases now empty, Pisac worked a walk before heading to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ashtyn Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.). Following a groundout, Pisac scored when Carly Bresee (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) singled to center. Bresee would come around for the fourth Wellesley run two batters later when LaBouyer singled to left. 

The Blue added to their advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning when Bresee picked up her second RBI of the game, this time with a single to left. 

Wellesley carried the 5-2 lead into the top of the seventh inning before the Engineers scored five runs on five hits to take a 7-5 lead. Sophomores Monica and Natalie Shifflet (Poway, Calif.) got the rally started with back-to-back singles before the Engineers loaded the bases on a walk to Joseph. Lee then brought home a run after getting hit by a pitch. 

Jensen followed with an RBI double to right center, advancing to third on the throw to home. Senior Karly McLaughlin (Edwardsville, Ill.) then gave MIT the lead with a two-RBI double to right center, scoring Lee and Joseph. The Engineers would tack on one more run, adding much needed insurance when Zoe Hinton (Aurora, Colo.) beat out an infield single to score Jensen.  

In the bottom of the seventh, Wellesley got one run back when Pisac ripped a two-out triple to right field to score Havrilla after the Blue shortstop had entered as a pinch runner for Ashtyn Coleman at second base. Ashtyn Coleman reached earlier in the inning thanks to an error. However, with Pisac on third, Fodor sealed her second victory of the day when she got Casey to pop up to end the game. 

Fodor pitched 5.1 innings in relief of MIT starter Alexandra Marshall (Glen Head, N.Y.) improving to 13-2 at the end of the day thanks to a four strikeout, five hit relief performance. Wellesley starter Julia Warner (Kenmore, Wa.) dropped to 5-6 with the decision in game two. 

Wellesley will host non-conference Salve Regina on Wednesday at 3:00 PM in its next doubleheader. MIT will host Tufts on Tuesday at 3:00 PM in a doubleheader rescheduled from April 6th.