WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College softball team picked up a double-header split with Bay Path College in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) action on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats were victorious in game one, 6-2 before the Pride took the second game of the day by the score of 7-6. Regis moves to 5-16 overall, 5-9 NECC with the results while Bay Path's record goes to 4-12, 3-5 NECC.
In game one, Bay Path jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. With junior Katherine Chabot (Brookfield, Mass.) on second base, senior Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) stepped up to plate and hit a home run to give her team the early advantage.
The Pride's Alyssa McKinnon (Raynham, Mass.) doubled to right center, sending Rachel DesRochers (Westford, Mass.) home to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning. Later in the third inning, McKinnon helped tie the game up at two apiece after she reached first base on a fielder's choice to Emily Serrano (Savoy, Mass.). Serrano threw to Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.) to get Sam Bliss (Framingham, Mass.) out at second, but not before DesRochers scored her second run of the day.
After a scoreless three innings, the Wildcats finally broke through in the top of the seventh. Rhodes helped break the deadlock after doubling to left field and sending Kate Sirois (Windsor, Conn.) home for the 3-2 lead. The very next play, Rhodes added to the advantage after Dougherty singled to shortstop.
Senior Mercedes Griffith (Malden, Mass.) pushed the score to 6-2 with a two-run homer before Regis could make the third out. The Pride were unable to muster any more offense in the final inning as Bay Path closed out the first game with a quick 1-2-3 inning.
Dougherty picked up her third win of the season on the mount after allowing just two runs (one earned) and striking out three. Bliss suffered the loss for Regis after giving up six runs, all earned, but was able to strike out six in the losing effort.
The bats awoke for the Pride in the second game, as the team went a combined 14-for-33 at bat. Kelsey Morton (South Portland, Maine) led the way by going 3-for-3, scoring one run, and grabbing one RBI. McKinnon also picked up one run and one RBI after a 3-for-4 hitting performance.
Regis took a 3-0 lead by the end of the first inning. McKinnon reached first on an error, sending Bliss to second and advancing Morton home, before sophomore Michaela NeJaime (Sandisfield, Mass.) singled to right field, which allowed classmates Cuozzo and McKinnon to score runs as well.
Bay Path answered back in the top of the second with a run by Anna Meyer (Millbrook, N.Y.) after a Gretchen Hale (Naugatuck, Conn.) single to center field. In the bottom half of the inning, freshman Jenna Casello (Westborough, Mass.) padded the lead, scoring after a Bliss hit to second base. Later in the fourth inning, Bliss once again helped Casello score after singling to right field, giving the Pride a 5-1 advantage.
The Wildcats and Pride scored two runs apiece in the fifth inning, which brought the score to 7-3 heading into the sixth. A scoreless inning from both teams sent the game into the seventh with the home team holding on to a four run lead.
The Wildcats nearly caught up after scoring three runs, but fell just short as Regis hung on for the 7-6 final. Serrano had a hand in all three runs, as she grabbed two RBI after singling to right field and later scored after a Meyer double to center field.
Dougherty fell to 3-9 on the season with the loss at the mound, while Cuozzo picked up her third win of the season after pitching all seven innings and striking out eight in the process.
Regis and Bay Path both return to NECC play tomorrow with home double-headers against Daniel Webster and Elms, respectively. The Pride host the Eagles at 12 and 2 p.m., while the Wildcats welcome the Blazers for 1 and 3 p.m. games.