SAINTS RALLY IN THE 6TH TO PICK UP FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON
April 19, 2008
Boston, Mass.- The Emmanuel Softball Team trailed 7-5 after five innings in Saturday's Great Northeast Athletic Conference match up with Johnson & Wales University. The Saints used a total team effort to put together a huge rally in the sixth inning and scored 9 runs as they came away with their first victory of the season, 14-9.
After suffering 29 losses and 1 tie, the Saints' bats caught fire on Saturday afternoon. The squad racked up 14 hits en route to the big win over visiting JWU. Sophomore Chelsie Baldwin (Canonsburg, PA) went 2-4 in the opening game and kicked off the rush of scoring in the sixth inning. Baldwin's single in the sixth was followed by singles from sophomore Samantha Luther (Carlisle, MA) and senior Stephanie Rege (Chicopee, MA), which loaded the bases for sophomore clean-up hitter Danielle Andruskewic (Orange, CT). Andruskewic ripped a double, scoring Baldwin and Luther. Senior 3rd-baseman Jen Walsh (West Springfield, MA) then followed with a double of her own that cleared the bases, scoring Rege and Andruskewic and gave Emmanuel a 9-8 lead.
Emmanuel's scoring continued, as sophomore 1st-baseman Erin McSheffrey (Woburn, MA) smashed a two-run homer that drove in Walsh. Sophomore 2nd-baseman Kristina Borrelli (Kingston, MA) then reached on an error and was knocked in by Baldwin, who picked up her second hit of the inning. Luther reached on an error by the JWU shortstop. Sophomore catcher Sarah Palmer-Thompson (Dennis, MA) hit a shot that was misplayed by the Wildcats' 1st baseman and scored Borelli and Baldwin to bring Emmanuel's run total to 9 for the inning.
Johnson & Wales managed to score once more in the seventh, but could not overcome the deficit and Emmanuel took the 14-9 victory. Emmanuel's freshman Christina Lacsote (Belchertown, MA) opened the game in the circle for the Saints, pitching the first three innings and facing 20 batters. Rege relieved Lacoste mid-way through the third, giving up four hits and fanning two.
Emmanuel's momentum continued into game two of the series, as the Saints defeated the Wildcats, 12-3 in five innings of play. Rege pitched the complete second game, giving up just four hits. Senior outfielder Coley Ferraro (Lakeville, MA) led Emmanuel's offense, going two for three with a double and triple in the fourth inning.
The Saints will host the Mustangs of Mount Ida College on Sunday in a 12:30pm start. Both games of this double-header will be played at Rotch Park in Boston, MA.