Wellesley Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader With Salve Regina

WELLESLEY, Mass. – Sophomore pitcher Julia Warner (Kenmore, Wash.) led the way for Wellesley in game one, but the Blue stumbled in game two, earning a split in a non-conference doubleheader with Salve Regina University on Wednesday at Wellesley College. The Blue earned a 4-1 victory in game one before suffering a 14-5 defeat in game two.

The twin bill brought Salve Regina and Wellesley to matching 13-15 records.  For the Blue, the doubleheader was a tune-up for an important home NEWMAC showdown with Springfield College on Friday.

Game 1: Wellesley 4, Salve Regina 1

Salve Regina got on the board early against Warner, tallying the game's first score on an unearned run.  Warner and Seahawks junior pitcher Kelsey Boarman (North Dighton, Mass.) kept the score 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth.  The Blue were finally able to get to Boarman, stringing together a single by junior Ashtyn Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and a double by junior Anna Pisac (Snohomish, WA) before scoring on a fielder's choice and a throwing error.

Wellesley scrapped together two insurance runs in the fifth on three hits, capitalizing on a successful sacrifice bunt by senior Carly Bresee (Rancho Santamargarita, Calif.), an RBI single and stolen base by sophomore Amanda Manning (Durham, Calif.), and an RBI single from Coleman.

Warner struck out six while scattering six hits in a complete game effort, improving to 4-6 on the season.

Game Two: Wellesley 5, Salve Regina 14

Salve Regina jumped in front early again in game two, boosted by stolen bases in the first inning by Francesca Galeazzi (Lynn, Mass.) and Nikki Bukovsky (Westport, Conn.).  The Seahawks tallied their first runs on a wild pitch and an RBI groundout.

Wellesley continued to battle in game two, coming back with a run in the bottom of the first.  After a scoreless second inning, Salve Regina added to their lead with a four run third, highlighted by a two-run triple by junior Lexi Soucie (North Easton, Mass.).  The Blue fought back again in the bottom of the third, tallying three runs on four hits, including a two-run single by junior Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.).

The Seahawks started to put the game away in the fifth, tallying two runs including a homerun by first-year Emily Woznick (Sandy Hook, Conn.).  Salve Regina put up a huge final frame, scoring five more runs including a homerun by Soucy, which left her only a double shy of hitting for the cycle.

Wellesley hosts Springfield on Friday in an important NEWMAC doubleheader.  The games against Springfield will conclude regular season play for the Blue.  The Seahawks will also return to conference play, as they are set to host Eastern Nazarene on Saturday.