Softball Bounces JWU to Stay Alive in GNAC Tourney, 7-6

THE BASICS

Score: 
Emmanuel 7 – Johnson & Wales 6

Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (24-17, 8-2 GNAC North)
Johnson & Wales Univ. Wildcats (29-13, 11-1 GNAC South)

Location: Providence, R.I. – JWU Softball Field

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023

THE LEAD – Emmanuel College plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to come-from-behind and defeat top-seeded Johnson & Wales University, 7-6, in the 2023 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Tournament in Providence, R.I.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Saints jumped out to an early 5-1 lead after plating five runs in the second inning that included a two-RBI double by junior shortstop Olivia Conti (Cranston, R.I.) but the Wildcats battled back to even the score at 5-5 in the fifth on a leadoff solo home run by graduate student third baseman Jill Pulek (Cheshire, Conn.).
• JWU loaded the bases but EC senior pitcher Tianna Dawe (Lynn, Mass.) was up to the task, striking out the side to keep the game locked at 5-5 through five.
• In the sixth, Johnson & Wales took the lead on an RBI single up the middle by sophomore Caroline Amorelli (Winslow, N.J.) to give the Wildcats a brief 6-5 advantage.
• The Saints rallied in the bottom half of the frame to keep their season alive. After a pair of quick groundouts, senior outfielder Julyanne Pacheco (Somerset, Mass.) delivered a single up the middle to extend the inning for Conti. The shortstop just missed a two-run homer, delivering a double off the right-centerfield wall to drive in Pacheco from first and even the score. Next up, sophomore outfielder Taylor Chelak (Westborough, Mass.) followed suit and connected on a double to right-center, driving in Conti for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run.
• The Wildcats didn't make it easy for EC in the seventh with the lead runner reaching via an Emmanuel error but on the sac bunt to move into scoring position, the JWU runner tried to stretch the play to third and was gunned down in the attempt for a double-play to put their season down to its final out. They continued to fight with back-to-back two-out singles before Dawe induced a fly ball to right for the final out of the contest, preserving the 7-6 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dawe was strong in relief, working the final three innings an surrendering just one unearned run on five hits while striking out three to notch her 14^th win of the year.
• Pacheco, Conti and Chelak all enjoyed 2-for-4 days at the plate with Conti and Chelak combining for five RBI in the win.
• Pulek paced JWU with a 4-for-4 performance, scoring three and driving in three while Amorelli added three hits.
• Sohomore Katie Scheid (Hightstown, N.J.) suffered the loss, working 5.0 innings and allowing the final two runs on six hits.
• Over the last three seasons, these two programs have met three times in elimination games with Emmanuel improving to 2-1 in those affairs.

UP NEXT

• The Saints advance to take on Lasell University later today at 5:30 PM in another elimination game at the JWU Softball Field.
• Johnson & Wales campaign comes to a close with an overall record of 29-13.