Softball Battles in GNAC Matchup

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Despite holding leads in both games, Regis College was swept by University of Saint Joseph in Saturday's Great Northeast Athletic Conference softball doubleheader at USJ Softball Field.

GAME ONE: SAINT JOSEPH 2, REGIS 1

Six different Pride players recorded hits in the contest with the Pride scoring the first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Chloe Beland (Southborough, Mass.) got things started, singling to right-center, advancing to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.), and then to third on a single by Bianca Burke (Cambridge, Mass.). On the ensuing at-bat, Abby Erickson (Worcester, Mass.) would single through the right side of the infield to drive in a run and give the Pride a 1-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the sixth, Frankie Ferrante hit a double to center field, scored a run for the Blue Jays, and tied the game up at 1-1. Later in the inning, Alexandra Silver drove in the go-ahead run for Saint Joseph with an RBI groundout to second base. Despite the Pride's best efforts, including an Erin Murphy (Bedford, N.H.) single in the top of the seventh inning, Regis was unable to overcome the deficit.

McGrath pitched for the Pride, striking out four batters through six innings while only allowing two earned runs. Saint Joseph pitcher Amanda Savinelli pitched the complete game, striking out four Regis batters and earning the win.

GAME TWO: ST. JOSEPH 5, REGIS 1

Regis was first to strike in game two as well, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. Murphy laced a double to left field to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Fawcett (Londonderry, N.H.). Later in the inning, she would be driven in on a Ciara Collins (Lynn, Mass.) single through the right side of the infield.

Saint Joseph answered in the fourth, taking advantage of a Regis error while stringing together four hits, including a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded by Jenna Masiello, to take a 4-1 lead over the Pride. A double in the bottom of the fifth inning by Ferrante followed by an RBI single from Silver gave the Blue Jays a 5-1 lead and put the game out of reach for the Pride.

Jilian Glynn pitched the complete game for the Pride, striking out three batters while only allowing one earned run. Natalie Amato earned the win for Saint Joseph, striking out 10 batters in seven innings. Masiello led the Bluejays offensively with three hits and four RBIs.

Regis College (9-20, 5-7 GNAC) travels to Providence, R.I., Sunday, Apr. 24, for a doubleheader against Johnson & Wales, with games scheduled for 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.