Blue Softball Sweeps Key NEWMAC Doubleheader With Springfield

WELLESLEY, Mass. — Wellesley College softball swept an important New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader versus visiting Springfield College on Friday afternoon. The Blue took game one 7-3 before earning a 3-0 shutout on game two.

With the sweep, Wellesley moves to 15-15 overall and 8-8 in NEWMAC games, while the Pride stand at 23-13 and 9-7 in conference contests. The Blue currently occupy the sixth spot in the NEWMAC standings, with the top six teams advancing to the postseason tournament following the end of regular season play this weekend.

Game One: Wellesley 7, Springfield 3

The Blue scored five runs in the bottom of the second inning of game one, propelling the team to a 7-3 victory over Springfield College.

Sophomore Madeline Bianchi (Lakeville, Minn) earned her tenth victory (10-8) of the season in the opener, pitching a complete game and striking out one while scattering thirteen hits.

Junior Ashtyn Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) had a pair of hits to lead the Blue, while seniors Carly Bresee (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and Jaclyn Tsang (Manalapan, N.J.) each recorded a pair of RBIs.

Junior Alicia Pavadore (Taunton, Mass.) and first year Sam Cox (Longmeadow, Mass.) paced the Pride with three hits apiece. Cox also had an RBI in the game. Senior Melissa Nelson (Milford, Conn.) chipped in with two hits and a run scored.

Bianchi escaped jams in the first two innings before sophomore Julia Warner (Kenmore, Wash.) got the hosts on the board first in the contest, knocking in junior Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) with an RBI single.  Bresee and Ashtyn Coleman followed with RBI singles of their own. The Blue would tack on two more runs on an RBI single by Tsang before Springfield got on the board with one run in the sixth. 

The Pride would add two more in the seventh on RBI hits by senior Jenna Webb (Harrison N.Y.) and Nelson before stranding the games' final two base runners. 

Game Two: Wellesley 3, Springfield 0

The Blue completed the sweep in the nightcap, as Warner pitched her first shutout since tossing a no-hitter in last season's NCAA Tournament Regional.

The sophomore struck out four in her outing, benefitting from a number of strong defensive plays behind her. Warner also helped her own cause at the plate, leading the Blue with two hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Wellesley again escaped an early jam, as Warner stranded two runners in the top of the first to cut down a Springfield rally.  

The Blue would get all the offense they needed on an RBI double by Ashtyn Coleman in the bottom of the first.  Wellesley added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Warner and an RBI double by Tsang. 

Wellesley continues NEWMAC play tomorrow morning, April 23, at 11:00 AM with their final NEWMAC regular season doubleheader at MIT. Springfield will also be in action at 12:00 PM tomorrow when they host Wheaton for a conference doubleheader.