WESTON, Mass. - Regis College was defeated in both games of Sunday afternoon's Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) softball doubleheader against Johnson & Wales University at Regis Softball Field.
GAME ONE: JWU 6, Regis 1
Lexi Nichols (Granby, Conn.) launched a triple over the right fielder's head to get things started in the bottom of the fifth inning, setting up Bianca Burke (Cambridge, Mass.), who hit a line drive single to right field to score the Pride's only run.
With the bases loaded in the top of the third inning, Hailey Erickson put the ball in play, scoring a run for JWU and reaching first on a fielder's choice. A double steal put runners at second and third for the Wildcats and a single by Caroline Amorelli scored another run to put the visitors up, 2-0. The Pride got the third out of the inning on the same play when Burke threw a runner out at home plate from center field.
An RBI double by Jill Pulek in the top of the fifth inning scored two more runs for the visitors, with an additional run scoring off an RBI single down the left field line by Erickson later in the inning, giving the Wildcats a 5-0 lead over the Pride.
Megan Antaya hit an RBI double to right field in the top of the seventh inning to drive in one more run for the Wildcats.
Colby Butterfield (Gilford, N.H.) pitched the complete game for the Pride, striking out two batters, while Livia Feole earned the win for JWU, splitting time on the rubber with Mackenzie Clee.
GAME TWO: JWU 3, Regis 0
Regis threatened to score in the bottom of the sixth inning when Ciara Collins (Lynn, Mass.) reached first on a fielder's choice after Andria Braga (Rehoboth, Mass.) led off the inning with a single and was later thrown out at second. A single by Kayla Morrill (Lynn, Mass.) put runners at first and third but the inning ended with Morrill getting caught stealing at second.
Julia Huzi hit a sacrifice fly that was dropped by the right fielder, which scored a runner from third base and allowed her to advance to second. Later in the inning, Erickson put the ball in play to drive in another run, giving JWU a 2-0 lead over Regis.
The Wildcats added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning when Pulek hit a deep sacrifice fly to center field, allowing a runner to score from third.
Diana Petrarca (Coventry, R.I.) pitched the complete game for the Pride, striking out four batters while allowing only one earned run. Katie Scheid struck out seven batters in the shutout win for the Wildcats.
Regis College (10-16, 2-4 GNAC) continues its home stretch with a non-conference doubleheader against Wentworth on Wednesday, April 19, beginning at 5 p.m. Johnson & Wales (23-9, 9-1 GNAC) hosts a doubleheader against Framingham State on Thursday, April 20, starting at 3:30 p.m.