CLERMONT, Fla. – Regis College battled with North Central University in the 2022 season opener for both teams, but the Rams used a six-run fourth inning to defeat the Pride, 9-5, Sunday evening at Legends Way Ballfields.
North Central (1-0) scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Sydney Harmon led off with a walk, Selma Carrasco followed with a single, and both players scored thanks to two Regis errors. The Rams added a run in the bottom of the second when Kali Kahalekomo led off with a single, stole second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a single by Harmon.
In the top of the fourth inning, Andria Braga (Rehoboth, Mass.) led off with a walk and came around to score on a single by Kayla Morrill (Lynn, Mass.) in which the ball was misplayed by the Ram outfield. Morrill, who advanced to third on the error, scored on a groundout by Erin Murphy (Bedford, N.H.) to bring the Pride within one at 3-2.
The Rams responded in the bottom of the fourth by loading the bases, scoring once on a Pride error, and then collecting three more runs on a bases-clearing double by Brooke McGlinchey. North Central would increase its lead to 9-2 on a two-run single by Lily Adams.
Braga drove in pinch runner Reilly Jewett (Norton, Mass.) with a double down the left field line in the sixth inning. With two outs in the seventh inning, pinch hitter Madison Smith (Malden, Mass.) laced a double that scored Jaylene Deslauriers (Taunton, Mass.), and Jewett followed with a single that brought home pinch runner Bianca Burke (Cambridge, Mass.), but the Rams induced a popout to end the game.
Alyssa Ward (Webster, Mass.) started the game for the Pride and struck out seven batters in 3 2/3 innings of work, but she allowed seven hits and eight runs, only one of them earned. Hosanna Gattle pitched a complete game to earn the victory for the Rams, allowing six hits, three earned runs, and three walks with six strikeouts.
Regis (0-1) is scheduled to play two games Monday, Feb. 28, facing Houghton at 1:30 p.m. and Rose-Hulman at 4 p.m.