Blue Softball Sweeps Action Against Rhode Island College

PROVIDENCE, R.I.- The Wellesley College softball team swept a doubleheader against regional-power Rhode Island College on Wednesday evening at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex. The Blue won the opener, 4-1, and took game two, 5-2.

Wellesley improves to 10-6 with the sweep, while RIC falls to 10-10. The game one win for Wellesley marked head Coach Keri O'Meara's 200th career victory. In her ninth season at the helm of the Blue, O'Meara's career record now stands at 201-111-3. 

The Blue struck first in the opening frame of game one as first-year Carly Bresee led off with a single, was sacrificed to second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Senior Lauren Goldfarb brought in Bresee with an RBI ground out to shortstop.

The visitors increased their lead to a 4-0 advantage in the top of the fifth thanks to a three-run outburst. With no outs and runners on second and third, Bresee singled to center field to bring in one. Sophomore Abby Casey followed with an RBI bunt single and Goldfarb capped the effort with an RBI ground out to second base.

The Anchorwomen looked to mount a comeback in the home half of the fifth as junior Stacy Pokora led off with a homer (4) to right field to make it a three-run, 4-1, deficit. RIC would get no closer, however, and Wellesley took game one, 4-1.

Wellesley junior Lindsay Johnson earned the win (2-4), allowing just one run on three hits to go along with nine strikeouts in a complete game effort. RIC senior pitcher Emily Johnson was tagged with the loss (5-2), allowing four runs on five hits with seven punchouts.

In game two, the Anchorwomen took an early, 1-0, lead as senior Marisa Jandreau smacked a one-out double to center field. Senior Jessica Borden followed with an RBI double to right center to stake the hosts to their first lead of the day.

The momentum would prove to be short-lived as Wellesley exploded for five runs to take a 5-1 lead in the third. The Blue loaded the bases with one down and tied the game on a RIC error. Senior Mara Blesoff then singled to center to bring in the remaining two baserunners. Wellesley scored on another Anchorwoman miscue and sophomore Mariah Phillips ended the scoring with an RBI single to center field.

RIC made it a 5-2 ballgame in the bottom of the inning as sophomore shortstop Katelyn Sykora singled down the left field line, moved up to second on a wild pitch, stole third and came home on a Jandreau RBI ground out.

Wellesley senior Sarah Schwartzmeyer got the win (5-1), allowing two runs on seven hits, while striking out seven. RIC first-year Katelyn McCaughey took the loss (0-4). She allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits and struck out one in 3.1 innings pitched. Borden and junior Maria Darling combined to hurl 3.2 innings of scoreless relief.

Bresee led the Blue with a 4-for-8 outing at the plate to go along with one RBI and three runs scored, while Blesoff finished 2-for-7 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Casey and Cabral posted multiple-hit efforts as well for the visitors.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference play at home against Plymouth State on Saturday, April 6 at 1:00pm. Wellesley also returns to conference play, hosting NEWMAC-foe MIT in a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 3:00pm.