Wheaton Rallies to take Two Games from Wellesley Softball

NORTON, Mass. - Wheaton utilized offense in the later innings to win both New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) games against Wellesley College softball on Friday at Clark Field.

First year Lily Platt (Hallowell, Maine) drove in three runs on three hits over two games for the Lyons (16-8 Overall, 6-2 NEWMAC). First year Chiara Lundin (Piedmont, Calif.) had three hits, two RBIs, and scored a run in game one for the Blue (2-17-1 Overall, 0-6 NEWMAC) while classmate Emeline Gaunce (Los Altos, Calif.) had three hits in game two.

Game 1 | Wheaton 10, Wellesley 4 | Final

An eight-run explosion of offense helped Wheaton come back to defeat Wellesley in game one.

The Blue started the scoring in the top of the first. Senior Ingrid Hsu (San Ramon, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and later scored on a ground out from first year Andrea Delgado (Miami, Fla.). Delgado had her fourth multi-hit game this season, going three for four. 

Wellesley increased their lead to 2-0 in the third inning when Lundin drove in Delgado with a single up the middle. Lundin later drove Delgado in again in the fifth with a left field single, giving Wellesley a 3-0 advantage. After Gaunce doubled to put herself and Lundin in scoring position, junior Julz Vargas (Los Angeles, Calif.) drove in a run on a fielder's choice.

The Lyons cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Jillian Rohon (Southington, Conn.) hit her fifth career home run on a solo shot to left. Junior Bryanna Agan (Averill Park, N.Y.) brought in a second run on a sacrifice fly before Wellesley stopped the damage with the score 4-2.

The sixth inning scoring for Wheaton began when first year Ashlyn Burt (Olathe, Kan.) walked in a run, before Platt gave the Lyons a lead with a single to center field. Later in the inning two runs scored on hit from junior Jill Ceddia (Hopkinson, Mass.) and by the time the inning ended Wheaton lead 10-4. Neither team scored again, with Wheaton finishing the contest with eight hits to Wellesley's 10.

First year Brittany Dost (Centereach, N.Y.) earned the win for Wheaton, shutting out the Blue over the final 2.2 innings. Sophomore Lauren Young (Fresno, Calif.) put forth a strong outing for the Blue, allowing two runs over 4.1 innings of work.

Game 2 | Wheaton 4, Wellesley 3 | Final (8 Innings)

Platt drove in a run on a single down the right field line to put the Lyons on the board in the bottom of the second. The Blue tied the game up at 1-1 in the top of the fourth when Vargas blasted a double to left to drive in Gaunce.

Wheaton added on two runs in the bottom of the fourth. After a throwing error brought in a run, Platt drove in her third run of the day on a single to center.

An error by the Lyons in the top of the sixth allowed Gaunce and junior Parker Phillips (River Forest, Ill.) to cross the plate and tied the game at three runs apiece. 

The score remained 3-3 after seven frames, forcing extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth the Lyons loaded the bases before Ceddia slapped a walkoff single to center field to bring home the win for Wheaton.

Wheaton first year Amber Arcand (Millville, Mass.) and Wellesley senior Marisa Sgambati (Scottsdale, Ariz.) both went the distance in the circle for their teams, with both pitchers striking out two batters.

The Blue remain on the road tomorrow with 12:00 & 2:00 NEWMAC games at Clark while the Lyons head to Smith for a pair of NEWMAC contests tomorrow at the same time.