BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott softball team blanked visiting Wentworth Institute of Technology, 6-0, 13-0 (5 inn.) Sunday afternoon in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) doubleheader at the Softball Field.
GAME 1 – Endicott 6, Wentworth 0
The Gulls put up the day's first run on junior right fielder Julia McNeill's (Smithtown, N.Y.) RBI single to left field to plate sophomore center fielder Casie Beauchemin (Lincoln, R.I.) in the bottom of the first.
Endicott added another run in the third as senior left fielder Jamie Corda's (Higganum, Conn.) sacrifice fly to left gave junior second baseman Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) enough room to score from third.
The Gulls busted it open with a four-run fifth as McNeill got it started with an RBI single to score senior catcher Emily Hoffman (Malden, Mass.) before sophomore shortstop Danielle Stratton's (Agawam, Mass.) infield single allowed McNeill to step on home plate.
Senior third baseman Samantha DiBella (Danvers, Mass.) had the big blow in the inning to round out the scoring for the Gulls with a two-RBI double to left to bring around freshman designated player Hayley Arduini (Southington, Conn.) and Stratton.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Senior pitcher Courtney Blake (East Islip, N.Y.) went the distance in a complete-game shutout, while scattering six hits, walking one and striking out five as she earned her 10th win of the season (10-7) to move into second in the CCC in wins on the year.
- Blake has tossed four shutouts this season.
- Beachemin, Gikas, McNeill, and Stratton each collected a pair of hits for the Gulls.
- Endicott had three extra-base hits as Arduini and DiBella each smacked doubles, and Hoffman notched her fourth triple of the season.
- The Gulls stole a season-high eight bases in the first game.
FOR THE FOES
- Freshman pitcher Erica Norquist (Rutland, Mass.) suffered the loss (3-12) as she allowed six runs on 11 hits in six innings in the circle while walking one and striking out one.
GAME 2 – Endicott 13, Wentworth 0 (5inn.)
In Game 2, the Gulls put up 11 runs in the first inning on seven hits and no errors and tacked on two more in the third inning as the Endicott posted back-to-back shutouts for the second time this season and seventh overall.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Freshman pitcher Laura Somerville (Suffield, Conn.) earned the win (6-3) as she spun a five-inning two-hitter en route to her third career shutout victory as she issued one walk and sat down five by way of the K.
- Gikas and McNeill each tallied two hits as McNeill led the way with four RBIs in the game thanks in part to a three-run double in her second at-bat the first inning.
- The Gulls batted around in the first inning.
- Blake registered her first career plate appearance in the third inning as she drew a walk with the bases loaded.
- Endicott recorded a season-high 12 RBIs.
FOR THE FOES
- Norquist was tagged with the loss (3-13) as she let up six runs in the first inning before being replaced by freshman Hayley Rutkey (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) with two outs in the bottom of the first.
- Norquist came back into the circle in the third inning with zero outs to relief Rutkey.
- In all, Norquist went 2 2/3 innings and was charged with six runs on six hits.
- Rutkey allowed seven runs (five earned) on four hits and eight walks in 1 2/3 innings.
NOTES
- The Gulls are 31-0-1 overall and 18-0-1 at home all-time against the Leopards dating back to April 7, 2001.
- Endicott has won 12 straight against the Leopards, including a doubleheader sweep last season (13-0, 6-3) in Boston, Mass. on April 13, 2015.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (19-14, 12-4 CCC) hosts Nichols on Monday, April 25th at 3:00/5:00 p.m. in the last games of the regular season. Wentworth (4-25, 0-18 CCC) sees its season come to a close. For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.