Blue Softball Hands Wheaton First NEWMAC Loss in Conclusion of Halted Game

WELLESLEY, Mass. — In the conclusion of a halted game from April 10, Wellesley College Softball dealt No. 18 Wheaton College its first New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) loss of the season on Friday afternoon at the Wellesley Outdoor Fields Complex. 

The Lyons, who will enter next week's NEWMAC Championship Tournament as the top seed, moved to 28-4 overall and 17-1 at the conclusion of the conference regular season. Wellesley improves to 17-12 overall and 10-8 in NEWMAC play, earning the fifth seed in the tournament. 

With the score tied 6-6 in the top of the tenth inning, Wellesley first year Madeline Bianchi (Lakeville, Minn.) entered to pitch. With the international tiebreaker in place, and Wheaton senior Noelle Christmas (Plymouth, Mass.) placed on second base, Bianchi struck out the side. The Blue first year set down Caroline Fairbanks (Milford, Mass.), Rebecca Seifert (Franklin, Mass.) and catcher Alexis Havrilla (Caldwell, N.J.) in order, only allowing Christmas to advance to third on a passed ball. 

In the bottom of the inning, Wellesley senior Maria LaBouyer (Yuba City, Calif.) was placed on second before making her way to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.). With one out and the winning run on third, Blue senior Emilyrose Havrilla (Caldwell, N.J.) lifted a shallow fly ball into centerfield that was tracked down by Wheaton junior Emma Hart (Lincoln, R.I.). 

Hart fired the ball back towards the plate, temporarily freezing LaBouyer on third. As LaBouyer continued to dance down the line, Havrilla then flipped the ball back toward the circle to Fairbanks. However, as LaBouyer made a break toward the plate, Fairbanks tossed the ball toward the pitcher Emily Berardi (Boston, Mass.) but the throw got away allowing the winning run to score. 

Bianchi earned the win in the contest, improving to 11-6 on the year, while Berardi dips to 13-2 with the loss.

Wellesley will return to action tomorrow afternoon when they host Salve Regina for a doubleheader at 12:00 PM. 

Click here to read the Recap from Game One and the Start of Game Two