WESTON, Mass. – Regis College received timely hitting and stellar pitching in both games as the Pride swept Lesley University, 8-7, and 6-2, Tuesday evening in a non-conference collegiate softball doubleheader at the Regis Softball Field.
GAME ONE: Regis 8, Lesley 7
Lesley scored in the top of the first inning after Kari Sorensen doubled to left field, earning an RBI to bring in MJ Jones. Bianca Burke (Cambridge, Mass.) reached first and advanced to second after an error by Lesley, to later score after Mel Rees (Middleborough, Mass.) earned a single to left field, tying the game at the bottom of the first, 1-1.
The Lynx started up the second inning with a double to center field, followed by a walk. Mellanie Barth put the ball into play with a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over into scoring position. After a single gave the Lynx an offensive advantage with bases loaded, Isabella Moscoso walked, bringing in another run to lead 2-1. The Links added three runs to the board in the top of the second, to lead 5-1.
After starting the bottom of the second with a walk, Maddy Bradish (Hudson, N.H.) hit a single up the middle to move over Marissa Allen (Coventry, R.I.), just before Bradish advanced to second with a stolen base. Burke took the opportunity to then hit a double, bringing in Bradish and Allen. Burke scored on a wild pitch to conclude the second inning, 5-4.
There were no hits from either team in the third inning.
The Pride held the Lynx in the top of the fourth, with no hits, earning three quick outs. After a walk and two wild pitches advanced Mya Gaspie (Hooksett, N.H.) to third, Burke earned a walk, to later steal, giving the Pride an offensive advantage with one out. Lexi Nichols (Grandby, Conn.) knocked in a run to tie the game 5-5, with one out. Lesley responded with two consecutive outs to finish the bottom of the fourth.
Regis finished the top of the fifth holding Lesley with no hits, with one runner left on base. With one out, Abby Erickson (Worcester, Mass.) earned the first hit of the inning with a single to right field, followed by a base hit up the middle for Allen. The Lynx held the Pride, closing out the inning with two consecutive outs to remain tied 5-5, leading into the sixth inning.
With two outs, Lesley started to break through in the top of the inning, after a single to the left side, followed by a walk to put two runners on base. Burke claimed the third run for the Pride to close out the first half of the inning. The Pride was unable to score, heading into the seventh inning, 5-5.
Lesley scored in the top of the seventh after a hit to center field brought in one run to lead 6-5, with one out. Building on the momentum, the Lynx scored with a bunt RBI to bring in another run, while advancing a runner to third to lead 7-5.
The Pride responded with two consecutive outs to finish the top of the inning trailing by two.
With one out, Erickson earned a single while Allen walked, putting runners on first and second. Gaspie earned an RBI with a hit to left center bringing in Erickson. After pinch running for Allen, Elle Picard (Lisbon, Maine.) scored to create a clean slate with a score of 7-7, on a double steal. Bradish earned a single to then advance Gaspie to third. With runners in scoring position, Burke singled to right field bringing in the winning run to finish with a final of 8-7.
GAME TWO: Regis 6, Lesley 2
Lesley scored their only two runs of the game in the first inning after a wild pitch and passed ball. The Pride responded right away as leadoff hitter Burke singled to center field, and later advanced to second after a single from Nichols. Rees advanced on a fielder's choice, while Lesley got a force out at second. With one out, Avery Patles (Derry, N.H.) singled to center field, bringing in Burke and Rees. Patles then scored after a single from Erickson brought her home and moved Grace Motto (Wareham, Mass.) into scoring position with one out. After a single from Gaspie brought in Motto, Erickson advanced to third just before a sac bunt brought her in for the fifth and final run of the first inning.
After a scoreless second inning, the Pride added to their offensive insurance with Burke hitting a triple to center field, driving in Gaspie for the final run of the game, to lead 6-2. The Lynx had no hits or runs in the second, third and fourth inning. MJ Jones hit a double for the Lynx in the top of the fifth but was ultimately left on base and unable to score.
The Lynx only allowed one hit from the Pride to finish out the game with a final of 6-2.
Regis (4-14) is scheduled to host Elms College on Saturday, April 13 for a doubleheader starting at 12:00 p.m. Lesley (3-12) is set to host UMaine Farmington on Saturday, April 13, starting at 1:00 p.m.