April 11, 2008
Game 1 Box Score - Game 2 Box Score
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College softball team took both games of a The Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader versus Eastern Nazarene on Friday at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. The Gulls shutout the Crusaders 5-0 in game one, and came back to take game two by the score of 5-2.
The Crusaders and Gulls battled through three innings of scoreless softball in game one, as starters Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Rachel Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) both took control in the early going.
The Gulls started to rally in the fourth with back-to-back singles from senior Paula McGinn (Lynn, Mass.) and sophomore Jenna Lazar (Milton, Mass.). Endicott finally got on the board when senior Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, Maine) laid down a sacrifice bunt which the Crusader defense threw away down the right field line, allowing Sargent to take third and scoring both McGinn and Lazar. Sargent would later score when an errant pick-off attempt sailed down the left field line, putting Endicott on top 3-0.
EC added a run in the fifth when sophomore Megan Downey (Ballston, N.Y.) singled up the middle, stole second, and came around to score on consecutive wild pitches to make the score 4-0.
The Gulls would tack on another run in the sixth on an RBI double by sophomore Maria Mangine (Lockport, N.Y.) to take game one by a score of 5-0.
Endicott starter Jenn Elwell took a no-hitter into the sixth, and wound up tossing a complete game two-hit shutout. With the win Elwell improved to 6-3 on the year. The EC offense was led by shortstop Jenna Lazar, catcher Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, Mass.), and first baseman Maria Mangine who were all 2-3 in the win.
Rachel Sorensen took the loss for the Crusaders, falling to 2-12 on the year. She gave up five runs, only two of which were earned, on eight hits while striking out four.
Things got interesting early in game two. After an Endicott error extended the top of the first for Eastern Nazarene, the Crusaders made the Gulls pay for their mistake as senior Melaina Genovese (Hingham, Mass.) launched a two-run homer left.
The Blue & Green came right back in the bottom of the first scoring four runs on three hits and an error. The scoring came on a two-run double to center by senior Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, Conn.) and a two-run single by junior Casey Shanley (Billerica, Mass.).
The score remained 4-2 into the fifth inning when the Crusaders began to threaten. After junior Hanna Rauchfuss (Elmont, N.Y.) reached on an error, designated hitter Janna Fernandes drove a double to left, putting runners on second and third with no outs. With the tying run in scoring position, Endicott head coach Mark Veilluex decided to bring in ace Maria Mangine. In her first relief appearance of the season Mangine was stellar, getting out of the jam on just two pitches. On her first pitch she caught a line drive come-backer to the mound and immediately threw to third to double up the runner. She then got the next hitter to bounce a grounder back to the mound to end the threat.
The Gulls added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a home run off the scoreboard in left by Casey Shanley, and went on to win game two by the score of 5-2.
Junior Jackie Collier got the win for the Gulls, improving to a perfect 5-0 on the season. She gave up two runs on just two hits over four innings, while striking out six. Maria Mangine earned her first save of the season, throwing three perfect innings. Offensively Endicott was led by first baseman Casey Shanley who was 2-3 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored. Catcher Rachel Pearson also added a run scored and two RBI in the win.
Rachel Sorenson once again took the loss for the Crusaders, dropping her record to 2-13 for the season. She surrendered five runs on six hits in six innings of work. Melaina Genovese stood out offensively for ENC going 1-3 with a two-run homer.
The Crusaders fall to 3-21 overall and 3-9 in the TCCC after the sweep. The two victories improve Endicott to 20-3 overall, and 12-2 in TCCC play. The Gulls return to the diamond on Saturday when they travel to rival Gordon College to play a TCCC doubleheader in Wenham, Mass. Game time have been scheduled for 12:00 and 2:00 pm.
