SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - With the wind blowing out, Western New England College and Springfield used the long ball to split a non-conference doubleheader in the first regular season meeting ever between the two city schools. The Pride took the opener 5-2 before the Golden Bears posted a 5-1 win in the nightcap.
Springfield slugged three homers in the first game, including two by senior catcher Missy Edwards, to snap Western New England College's 19-game hitting streak. Edwards, who came into the contest with a .213 batting average, belted solo shots in the third and fourth. Junior first base player Keir Stanford cracked a three-run homer in a four-run third that proved to be the difference.
Western New England College took a 2-0 lead in the first inning scoring on a wild pitch and a double by senior catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH). Senior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) gave up only five hits and struck out nine to give her 150 strikeouts for the season, but lost for only the second time in 16 decisions. The Golden Bears stranded nine runners, leaving the bases loaded in the sixth.
In the second game, freshman shortstop Jessica Dickson (Bow, NH) had the big hit, her first collegiate grand slam homer that broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth.
Boss, junior first base player Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT), and senior second base player Sarah Moisao each had two hits.
Freshman Alex Paterson (Deep River, CT) tossed a six-hitter, fanned four, and walked two to riase her record to 8-1.
Western New England College (25-3) is ranked first in the New England Division III Coaches Poll.
The only other meeting between the two teams took place in 2001 when Springfield defeated Western New England College 8-1 in the ECAC Division III New England Tournament.
