March 17, 2008
OSCEOLA, Fla. - The Endicott College softball team shutout William Patterson University 3-0, before being shutout themselves, 6-0, later that evening by Illinois Wesleyan University in Osceola, Fla. on Monday.
In Endicott's first match-up of the day, they faced off against William Patterson University. Sophomore Jenna Lazar (Milton, Mass./Milton) got the Gulls going early with a one-out single, which she then effectively turned into a double by stealing second. With two-out and Lazar in scoring position, the Pioneers made a costly error on a ball hit by junior Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, Mass./Triton Regional), allowing Lazar to come home with the game's first run.
In the third, with the Gulls still clinging to a one-run lead, Lazar got things started once again with her second hit in as many at-bats. After a sacrifice by senior Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, Maine/Oak Hill) moved Lazar into scoring position, Meghan Sargent came through with a clutch RBI single to drive her in, expanding the Endicott lead to 2-0.
Meanwhile, sophomore Maria Mangine (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) kept the Pioneer bats quiet, holding them scoreless through the first five frames. In the bottom half of the fifth, the Gulls capitalized on three William Patterson errors to score an insurance run, making the score 3-0.
That was all the runs they would need, as Mangine went the distance for the complete game shutout. The Endicott hurler was able to scatter five hits and two walks through seven innings of work, as she collected her first win by the final score of 3-0. With the win, Mangine is now a perfect 1-0 on the season. Jenna Lazar led the Gulls offensively going 2-2 with two runs scored and a stolen base.
Freshman Jenna Vitale (Kenilworth, N.J./David Brearley) took the loss for the Pioneers, dropping her overall record to 1-1 on the season. She surrendered just one earned run on the day, but was victimized by her team's five errors.
Endicott went on to face Illinois Wesleyan University in their second game of the day. Senior Jenn Elwell got the start, fresh off a complete game shutout in her first outing, earning her TCCC Pitcher of the Week honors. Unfortunately, this game wouldn't go as smoothly as her first start.
Illinois Wesleyan set the tone early, as junior Valerie Hackett (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the first to put the Titans ahead 2-0.
The score would remain that way into the fifth, when Illinois Wesleyan would get to Elwell once again. The Titans rallied for four runs on three hits in the inning, including a three-run homer from senior backstop Kelly Nelson (Palos Heights, Ill./Stagg) to put the game out of reach at 6-0.
The 6-0 score would hold up, as sophomore Christy Engel (St. Charles, Ill./North) tossed a complete game shutout for the Titans. She managed to pitch around six hits and three walks over her seven innings, while compiling six strikeouts. With the win Engel improves her overall record to 2-0 on the season. Senior Kellie Nelson stood out offensively for the Titans going 2-3 with three RBI and a run scored, including a home run.
Jenn Elwell took the loss for the Gulls, surrendering six earned runs on 10 hits over five innings of work. The loss drops her record to an even 1-1 on the season. Sophomore Merry MacDonald (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) led the Gulls offensively with two hits in three at-bats.
With the split, Endicott's overall record goes to 3-1 on the young season. The Gulls will be back on the diamond Tuesday facing Utica College at 11 a.m., and then Western Connecticut State University at 3 p.m. Both games are scheduled to be held at Osceola Park in Osceola County, Fla.
