Sophomore Autumn Brown hit her first double of the season in a setback to Kalamazoo (Robert Oliver).
Sophomore Autumn Brown hit her first double of the season in a setback to Kalamazoo (Robert Oliver).

Blue Softball Drops Two Games on Day Two in Clermont

CLERMONT, Fla. – Wellesley College softball came-up one run short in a 3-2 game one setback against Tufts University, before dropping a 7-1 final to Kalamazoo College on the team's second day at the PFX Athletics Spring Games. Wellesley is now 0-4 to start the season.

Tufts 3, Wellesley 2

A three-run third inning from Tufts made all the difference in a rematch of Friday evening's contest between the Blue and the Jumbos.

The Jumbos got all three of their runs in the top of the third inning, capitalizing with the bases loaded when first year Reegan Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) cleared the bases with a double into right centerfield gap. Coleman finished the game 1-for-3. Senior Samantha Siciliano (Chatsworth, Calif.) and junior Kristen Caporelli (Taunton, Mass.) each added a pair of hits, while starter Gillian O'Connor (Montgomery, N.J.) was tagged for two runs in five innings but still picked up the win. 

Wellesley first year Gen Brittingham (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) continued her hot start to the season, going 3-for-3 at the dish with an RBI single in the contest. Sophomore Kendall Smith (Turlock, Calif.) doubled for the third straight game and also added an RBI for the Blue. Trailing 3-0 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Blue got two runs back on back-to-back hits from Smith and Brittingham. However, Wellesley would leave the tying run on base when first year Alyssa Hana (La Mirada, Calif.) grounded out to end the rally with Brittingham on first base.  

Tufts first year pitcher Kristi Van Meter (Amston, Conn.) came on to start the fifth inning and was dominant in two innings of relief, striking out four to slam the door for her first save of the season.

In the circle, Wellesley starter Sydney Hopper (Newcastle, Wash.) went 2.2 innings and was charged with all three runs, while senior Madeline Bianchi (Lakeville, Minn.) pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless relief. 

Kalamazoo 7, Wellesley 1    

The Hornets scored seven runs on 11 hits and three Wellesley errors to cruise past the Blue, 7-1, in the second game of the day for both teams.

Kalamazoo starter Keelin McManus (Haslett, Mich.) went the distance, scattering four hits and four walks to earn her third win of the year. McManus escaped a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the third after she walked the bases full, but otherwise avoided trouble, limiting the Blue to just one run on an RBI ground out from Hopper with two on and one out in the fourth. 

Kalamazoo scored one run in the first, one in the second, and two in the third to jump to a 4-0 lead early. Senior Izzy Kirck (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) was 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI to lead the Hornets. Kalamazoo tacked on two more in the sixth and one in the seventh to put the game out of reach. 

Smith extended her hit streak to four games to start the season, while classmate Autumn Brown (Marshfield, Mass.) laced a double for the Blue. First year Julianne Griffin (Blue Bell, Pa.) was 2-for-3 out of the eight spot in her first appearance in the Blue line-up. Senior Julia Warner (Kenmore, Wash.) pitched 2.1 innings and was charged with a pair of runs in the setback. Hopper added 4.1 more innings in relief. 

Wellesley continues the Spring Games tomorrow at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Wellesley will take on Colby in the early game before taking on No. 10 Wis.-Whitewater.