Softball Splits Twinbill with RIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The visiting Bridgewater State University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Rhode Island College on Friday afternoon at Dayna A. Bazar Field.

The host Anchorwomen (1-1) won the first game in walk-off fashion, 4-3, while the Bears (6-4) earned the split with a wild 12-11 victory in the nightcap.

Game One: Rhode Island College 4, Bridgewater State 3

Rhode Island College capitalized on four BSU errors to score three unearned runs including the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh as the Anchorwomen came away with the 4-3 walk-off win in game one.

RIC plated two unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning without recording a hit. The Bears committed three errors in the frame.

An RBI infield single by freshman shortstop Amanda Conti (Lincoln, R.I.) in the bottom of the sixth extended the Anchorwomen lead to 3-0.

The Bears rallied in the top of the seventh. Senior shortstop Megan Sharon (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and junior designated player Madison Dana (Lynn, Mass.) started the comeback with back-to-back singles and graduate centerfielder Alexandra Ruprecht (Kingston, Mass.) followed with a dramatic game-tying three-run homer over the left field fence.

Sophomore pitcher Tatiana Burcy (Boston, Mass.) came on in relief for RIC and retired the next three batters in order, including a strikeout, to keep the game knotted at 3-3.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman right fielder Paige Jones (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) walked with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a double by sophomore centerfielder Avery Katz (Brookfield, Conn.). Freshman left fielder Sarah Mickelson (New Milford, Conn.) followed with a foul pop up that was dropped for an error. Given a second chance, Michelson promptly rapped a base hit into right field to plate Jones with the game-winning run.

Burcy (1-0) picked up the win for the Anchorwomen in relief of freshman starter Abby Kidd (Granby, Conn.). Kidd worked into the seventh inning and gave up three runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. She did not issue a walk.

Senior pitcher Laura Hatch (Middleboro, Mass.) was saddled with the loss for the Bears in the complete game effort. Hatch (1-2) allowed four runs, only one of which was earned, on six hits over 6 1/3 innings with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.

Dana was the only player in game one to finish with multiple hits as she singled twice in three at bats.

Game Two: Bridgewater State 12, Rhode Island College 11

The two teams combined for 23 runs, 31 hits and ten walks in game two with Bridgewater State coming away with the 12-11 victory and a split of the doubleheader.

Ruprecht homered again for the Bears in game two while BSU sophomore first baseman Morgan Cournoyer (Burrillville, R.I.) also left the yard.

Cournoyer launched a two-run blast over the left field fence, her second dinger of the season and fifth of her career, to tie the game at 8-8 in the top of the fifth inning. Cournoyer also connected for a two-run single during the Bears' five-run third inning which helped erase a 4-0 deficit.

Back-to-back RBI doubles by junior third baseman Cassidy Schoen (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and sophomore first baseman Katelyn Ashe (Colchester, Conn.) in the home half of the fifth put the Anchorwomen back on top, 10-8.

The Bears rallied with two outs to take a 12-10 lead in the top of the sixth. Sophomore pinch hitter Kerrin McLaughlin (Haverhill, Mass.) tied the game with a two-run single and Ruprecht followed with a two-run homer to left field to put Bridgewater on top. Ruprecht's tater marked the 11th of her career.

RIC pulled to within one (12-11) on an RBI single by Katz in the bottom of the sixth and had the tying run on the third and the go ahead run on second with one out. Sophomore pitcher Madelyn Klingel (Windsor, Conn.), who had started the game in the circle for Bridgewater State, came back into the contest out of relief and retired the final two batters of the inning without any further damage.

The Anchorwomen loaded the bases off Klingel with one out in the bottom of the seventh on two walks and a base hit. Junior second baseman Alexis LeBelle (Warwick, R.I.), however, lined out to Ruprecht in centerfield who turned the hard line drive into a game-ending double play.

Four Bears finished with multiple hits in game two led by Ruprecht (2-3, HR, BB, 2R, 3RBI) and Cournoyer's (2-4, HR, R, 4RBI) clutch performances. Sharon went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while freshman second baseman Amelia Blake (Raynham, Mass.) was 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and two runs scored.

Bridgewater State banged out 13 hits in game two and the Bears were issued four walks.

Katz (3-4, BB, 2SB, 3R, RBI), Mickelson (3-5, 2B, 2R, 3RBI), Ashe (3-4, BB, 2 Doubles, 3RBI) and Jones (3-4, 2 Doubles, Run) notched three hits apiece to lead RIC's 18-hit attack. Schoen (2-4, 2B, BB, 2R, RBI) and senior designated player Katrina Kazen (Warwick, R.I.) also finished with multiple hits for the Anchorwomen. Kazen singled twice, walked and knocked in two runs over five plate appearances.

Both teams committed three errors in game two. RIC left 12 runners on base, while Bridgewater stranded just three.

Three BSU pitchers combined to give up 11 runs (ten earned) on 18 hits with six walks and two strikeouts over seven innings. Freshman pitcher McKayla Cusack (West Haven, Conn.) picked up her first collegiate win in relief, while Klingel notched her first career save.

The Anchorwomen also used three pitchers in the contest. The trio combined to allow 12 runs, only seven of which were earned, on 13 hits over seven innings with four walks and three strikeouts. Kidd (0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief.

Bridgewater State is back in action on Tuesday afternoon when the Bears host a doubleheader with UMass Dartmouth starting at 3:30.