May 2, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College softball team had their TCCC Tournament game versus Western New England College postponed while leading 4-1 in the fourth inning on Friday at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. In the first game of the day Nichols College eliminated Gordon College with a 5-0 win.
The Gulls, as they have done throughout the season, jumped on the scoreboard in the first inning. Sophomore Jenna Lazar (Milton, Mass.) got things going with a lead-off walk and moved to second when left fielder Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, Maine) dropped down a sacrifice bunt. After junior Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, Mass.) drew a walk, pitcher Maria Mangine (Lockport, N.Y.) helped her cause with an RBI single down the left field line scoring Lazar.
Endicott took their 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third when, once again, Jenna Lazar drew a lead-off walk. After another sacrifice bunt by Danielle Sargent, senior Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, Conn.) crushed a two-run shot to left centerfield giving the Gulls a 3-0 advantage.
The Golden Bears were able to get one back in the top of the fourth when senior Stephanie Ganser (Fairfield, Conn.) roped a double down the left field line scoring third baseman Meredith Pacelli (Hamden, Conn.).
In the bottom of the inning sophomore Sarah Spaziano (Norton, Mass.) smacked a one-out double to left center. After advancing to third on one wild pitch, Spaziano scampered home on another to put the Gulls ahead 4-1.
With the rain coming down increasingly harder, the tarp was pulled onto the field and the game was postponed.
Earlier in the day, with the Bison already leading the Fighting Scots1-0 in the second inning, Nichols junior Christina Hebert (Johnston, R.I.) laced a three-run homer to left.
After the Bison tacked on another run in the fourth, freshman Lindsay Hassett (Oxford, Mass.) put the finishing touches on a one-hit shutout to give Nichols a 5-0 victory.
With the win Hassett improves to 7-5 on the season. She gave up just one hit over seven innings while striking out 10 Gordon hitters. Offensively the Bison were led by Herbert who was 1-2 with a three-run homer. Catcher Lauren Lombardo (Wolcott, Conn.) also chipped in with two hits and two runs scored in the win.
The loss eliminates Gordon (14-23) from the tournament, while Nichols (24-15) advances in the loser's bracket. Endicott and WNEC will pick up where they left off in the fourth inning on Saturday at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. Game time is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. with the TCCC Championship games being set for later that afternoon.
