Softball splits final two games in Florida, brings 10-2 record back home

March 16, 2006

FORT MYERS, FL- The Wheaton College softball team split the final two contests of its 12-game spring break trip on Thursday at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Lyons downed Transylvania University, 5-4 in nine innings, before seeing their nine-game winning streak come to an end with a 2-1 loss against Nichols College. Wheaton is now 10-2, and its winning streak was the program's longest since a 13-game run in April 2003.

In the Lyons' first game with Transylvania since 1999, the Lyons fell behind after allowing one run in the top of the fourth, but freshman Emily Hildreth (Reading, MA/Reading Memorial) came up with two-run singles in each the fourth and sixth innings to stake the Blue and White to a 4-1 edge heading into the seventh. With two down and a runner on first, the next five Pioneers each reached, and senior Holly Gibson's (Greenfield, IN) two-run single knotted the score at four.

To begin the bottom of the ninth, freshman Stacey Kelleher (Brockton, MA/Brockton) was placed on second due to the international tie-breaker before moving to third on classmate Katelynn Hanewich's (Bradenton, FL/Lakewood Ranch) sacrifice and coming home when first-year pinch-hitter Brady Benton (Concord, NH/Concord) reached on a two-out infield error.

Hildreth led the offense with a 2-for-3 showing and four RBI, while junior Jessica DePolito (Taunton, MA/Coyle and Cassidy) chipped in a pair of hits. Kelleher scored three of Wheaton's five runs. Sophomore Jodi Moynagh (Worcester, MA/Holy Name Central Catholic) picked up the win in relief, tossing 2 1/3 perfect innings. Classmate Audrey Poulton (Charlestown, RI/Chariho Regional) allowed all four runs during the first 6 2/3 and struck out five.

Wheaton scored first in game two, as junior Nicole Lachance (Rochester, NH/Spaulding) led off the bottom of the first by reaching on a two-base error before coming home on sophomore Erika Marini's (Pawtucket, RI/Saint Raphael Academy) sacrifice fly. However, the Lyons' offense was held to three hits, including the first of freshman Lynn Cotto's (Brookfield, CT/Brookfield) career.

The Bison earned both of their runs in the sixth on three hits and a key error. After sophomore Stephanie Magni (West Newton, MA/Newton North) doubled in the tying run, Nichols had runners on second and third with one down before a Bison player laid down a bunt, which was mishandled and allowed the eventual winning run to score.

First-year Wheaton hurler Katelyn Brides (West Bridgewater, MA/West Bridgewater) was sharp in her collegiate pitching debut, fanning four without walking a batter and yielding seven hits. Junior Ashley Bannon (Northford, CT/North Branford) earned the win, pitching five innings of two-hit ball, while sophomore Lauren Person (Vernon, CT/Rockville) earned the two-inning save.

Wheaton begins the northern portion of its schedule next Thursday with a doubleheader at Bridgewater State College beginning at 2:00 p.m.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 3/16/06.
Questions about this page? Use our query form.

News

Wheaton graduate Powers selected to guide Lyon softball program (more)

Kelleher becomes ninth Wheaton softball player to be named All-American (more)

Kelleher and Moynagh each earn NFCA All-New England accolades (more)

Upcoming Schedule

7-12-Mar Sat-Thu Spring Trip N TBA
19-Mar Thu Bridgewater St. (2) H 3:00pm
21-Mar Sat Coast Guard (2) H 12:00pm