Regis Softball Splits GNAC Twinbill with JWU

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Regis College rebounded from a loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, using timely hitting and solid pitching to win the second game and split with Johnson and Wales University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference softball action at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex.

GAME TWO: REGIS 4, JOHNSON & WALES 2

The first three innings were quiet, with each team earning just one hit apiece off starting pitchers Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) and Katie Scheid. In the top of the fourth inning, Erin Murphy (Bedford, N.H.) led off with a double off the fence in left-center field and advanced to third on a passed ball that allowed Kayla Morrill (Lynn, Mass.) to reach base on a swinging strikeout.

Diana Petrarca (Coventry, R.I.) drove in Murphy with a single to center field, and Andria Braga (Rehoboth, Mass.) followed with a single to load the bases. With one out, Ciara Collins (Lynn, Mass.) hit a groundball that found its way into the outfield, allowing pinch runner Lexi Nichols (Granby, Conn.) to score, and then the Wildcats could not successfully execute a rundown as Petrarca came home and the other runners advanced to second and third. McGrath helped her own cause with a sacrifice fly to right field that brought Braca home and extended the Pride lead to 4-0.

The Wildcats were held scoreless until the sixth inning, when leadoff hitter Julia Huzi reached third base on a Regis error and scored on a double by Jill Pulek. After a single by Kaelani Gamble, Pulek would score on a fly ball that fell in front of the left fielder to close the JWU deficit to 4-2 with runners on first and second and nobody out. However, McGrath induced two popouts and a groundout to work her way out of the jam.

McGrath would retire the Wildcats in order in the seventh inning to complete her fifth victory of the season. She allowed just four hits and two unearned runs, striking out three batters without any walks. Scheid took the loss for JWU despite giving up just six hits and four runs with five strikeouts and zero walks.

GAME ONE: JOHNSON & WALES 11, REGIS 3

The Pride struck first in the top of the first inning as the first two batters reached base on Wildcat errors, followed by a single by Morrill. Petrarca hit a sacrifice fly to left field that drove in Abby Erickson (Worcester, Mass.) to give Regis an early lead.

The Wildcats took the lead with two runs in the second inning and one run in the third inning, but Regis battled back in the top of the fourth inning, starting with a leadoff single by Murphy. After Morrill and Braga reached base on JWU errors to load the bases, a groundball hit by Collins allowed Murphy to score, and Alex Page (New Boston, N.H.) followed with a single to score Morrill and tie the game at 3-3.

JWU (28-6, 9-3 GNAC) took the lead for good with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, capped by a bases-clearing double by Summer Ramundo. With the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Megan Antaya drove in two runs with a single to right field, ending the game on the eight-run margin rule.

Mackenzie Clee earned the victory for the Wildcats, allowing just three hits and three runs in six innings.

Regis College (10-21, 6-8 GNAC) plays at Emmanuel College in a non-conference doubleheader Thursday, April 28, starting at 5 p.m. The Pride close out the regular season by hosting Elms College Saturday, April 30, beginning at 12 p.m.