NEWPORT, R.I. – The Endicott softball team traveled to Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opponent, Salve Regina for a Patriots Day doubleheader. In game one sophomore Jaime Corda (Higganum, Conn.) cranked her first homerun of the season to lift the Gulls to a 3-1 victory, while the Seahawks took game two in a tight 1-0 victory. Endicott improves to 21-8-1 (13-3 CCC) while Salve Regina moves to 17-15 (14-4).
Endicott will take the field next, tomorrow, April 22nd as they travel to reigning National Champions, #1 Tufts for a doubleheader at 3/5PM. The Gulls are 3-9 overall against the Jumbos since their first meeting in 2001. The national powerhouse has gotten the best of the Gulls in their last five meetings, the last victory for Endicott being in 2008.
Game One: Endicott 3, Salve Regina 1
In game one, senior Nell O'Connor (Harwick, Mass.) hurled a complete game for the Blue and Green allowing only seven hits on 29 batters faced while striking out four. The senior improves to 10-2 overall, which pushes her into the #2 slot in total wins in the CCC statistical leaders board.
Endicott got on the scoreboard early in the top of the second as Corda sacrificed to left field to advance sophomore Sam DiBella (Danvers, Mass.) to home plate. After two scoreless inning by both sides, the first batter of the top of the fifth, Corda, ripped a homerun to take a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh, off a throwing error by the first baseman, freshman Hannah Graney (Acton, Mass.) reached home to secure a three run lead. The Seahawks finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh off a double to right field by freshman Lexi Soucie (North Easton, Mass.) but it was not enough as O'Connor wrapped up the inning with just the lone run.
Game Two: Endicott 0, Salve Regina 1
In game two, Salve posed a stronger game and was able to tab the lone run of the game despite efforts from sophomore pitcher Courtney Blake (East Islip, N.Y.). Blake (7-1) hurled a complete game of six innings while striking out four of her 21 batters faced while allowing just three hits. The sophomore was stellar in the circle as she was just one inning shy of a perfect game as she pitched five 1-2-3 innings while giving up one run in the bottom of the fourth.
With runners on base, freshman Kara O'Riley (Acton, Mass.) singled through the right side to bring in her teammate for the one run lead which secured the victory.
The Blue and Green tried to work freshman pitcher Kelsey Boarman (North Dighton, Mass.) but she only allowed four hits for the Gulls while striking out three.
Endicott still remains in the top spot in the CCC standings, but will look to clinch the home field advantage and a #1 slot in the upcoming postseason on Wednesday, April 23rd when they travel to Curry for their last doubleheader of the regular season.
