Blue Softball Swept in NEWMAC Doubleheader at Wheaton

NORTON, Mass. – Wheaton College scored 22 runs over two games to sweep a New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader from Wellesley College softball on Friday at Clark Softball Field. The Lyons took game one, 8-0, in five innings and game two, 14-4, in five innings.

Wheaton snapped a five game losing streak with the win in game one and improved to 15-9 overall (3-5 NEWMAC) with the win in game two. Wellesley is now 5-9-1 (1-4 NEWMAC).

Game 1 | Wheaton 8, Wellesley 0 | Final – 5 innings

Wheaton starter Shelbi Wilson (Peabody, Mass.) gave-up four hits and struck out three over five scoreless innings, as the Lyons shutout the Blue in game. 

Wilson improved to 8-7 with the win. Senior Jade Assad (Lambertville, N.J.) finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while classmate Emily Schlapak (Dover, N.H.) was 2-for-3 with a game-high three RBI for the Lyons.

First year Katelyn Barton (Andover, N.H.) added a pair of RBI, finishing 2-for-3 out of the lead off spot in the Wheaton order. Wheaton pounded out 11 hits in 4.1 innings, handing Wellesley first year Caitlin Gordon (North Vancouver, BC, Canada) her first loss of the year.

The Lyons scored five runs in the second and three runs in the fifth to end the game with an eight run lead after five innings. Schlapak and Barton each delivered two-RBI hits in the second, while the Lyons took advantage of a pair of Wellesley errors in the bottom of the fifth to clinch the game.

Wellesley never threatened in the game, as the Blue never had more than one base runner in any inning. Junior Kendall Smith (Turlock, Calif.) extended her hitting streak to five games with a single to lead off the game. 

Game 2 | Wheaton 14, Wellesley 4 | Final – 5 innings

The Blue scored three runs in the top of the first but could not slow the Wheaton offense in the second, third, and fourth innings in a 14-4 victory for the Lyons.

Smith started the rally with another single to leadoff the game, later scoring on an RBI from first year Marisa Hensch (Carlsbad, Calif.). Hensch moved to third on a double off the bat of sophomore Gen Brittingham (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) before scoring when junior Autumn Brown (Marshfield, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice. Junior Kalei Oliver (Vista, Calif.) brought home the third Blue run with a double to right that scored Brown.

Hensch, who would also go on to score a run in the top of the fifth, finished the game 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Blue. Both Smith and Brittingham finished the game with a pair of hits for the Blue. 

Wheaton responded with five runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-4 lead, the Lyons added four in the third and five in the fourth to take a commanding 14-3 lead after four innings. Bartlett scored three runs and added two more hits in game two. Sophomore Hannah Arkin (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and first year starter Sarah Pritchard (Malta, N.Y.) each tallied four RBI in the rout, with Arkin also scoring a pair of runs.

Pritchard gave-up eight hits and four runs over five innings but it was enough to earn her sixth (6-0) win of the season. Wellesley first year Hayley Moniz (Westfield, Mass.) was tagged with the loss, giving-up four earned over 2.1 innings.

Both teams will continue NEWMAC play on Saturday, April 6. Wellesley returns home to host Smith on at 12:00 PM. Wheaton will travel to Springfield at 12:00 PM.