PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The newest member of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference had a tough task in its first conference softball games, as Regis (Mass.) was swept by the three-time defending champion Johnson & Wales University 3-1 and 12-2 on Thursday.

Records:
Regis: 4-6, 0-2 GNAC
Johnson & Wales: 10-7, 7-1 GNAC

Of Note:
Johnson & Wales got all the scoring it would need during the fourth inning of game one. Tiffani Semanchik roped a double to score Meghan Gavin then came around to score on a Katie Rufo double. An error in the sixth inning allowed pinch runner Shari Minalga to score.

Starting pitcher Jennifer Corona rolled to her fifth victory in a row. She gave up one unearned run with eight strikeouts.

Regis sophomore Ellery Rasmussen (Kingston, N.H.) was the Pride's offensive leader in game one, going 2-for-3 with the team's lone run scored. Madi McLellan (Fremont, N.H.) was credited with the loss in the circle despite allowing just two earned on five hits with seven strikeouts over six innings pitched. 

The Wildcats got a pair of runs in the first inning of game two, including a Rufo home run, then exploded for six runs in the second and four more in the third. Gavin had a two-run double in the second then an RBI single in the third. Rufo drove in another run in the second with a double to score Semanchik.

Sophomore pitcher Kristin Frost worked three innings, giving up one run with four strikeouts, to improve her record to 3-0. She also drove in a run in the second inning.

Eight of the nine Wildcat starters had at least one hit with five players picking up a pair. Gavin drove in a trio of runs and scored twice.

Pride junior Kelsey Grimard (Pelham, N.H.) recorded two of her team's four hits, and came across the plate for each of the team's two runs in the loss.

Up next, Johnson & Wales is back at home on Saturday to take on Saint Joseph in a 12 p.m. doubleheader. The Pride holds its home opener the same day, taking on Simmons in a twinbill from Regis Field.

#RegisSB

Release courtesy of Johnson & Wales sports information.