SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Senior first base player Jes Nelson (South Hadley, MA) blasted three homers to lead the Western New England College softball team to a thrilling 11-9 (eight innings), 14-11 doubleheader victory over Norwich University Friday afternoon (Apr. 6) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action. There were 45 runs, 50 hits, and nine homers in the two games.
Western
New England College is now 10-8 overall and 4-2 in the GNAC. Norwich
falls to 11-5 and 6-2 after suffering its first two conference losses.
Game 1 Highlights
Western New England College – Nelson had two homers, including a two-run clout in the top of the eighth for the winning runs. She was 3-for-4 with five RBI and two runs. Junior catcher Allison Glassick (Newport, RI) smacked a three-run homer with two outs in the seventh to tie the game. She also had a double. Sophomore center fielder Toni Hand (Londonderry, NH) made a diving catch in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the tie. Junior left fielder Jenna Curren (Berlin, CT) went 3-for-4 with a run.
Norwich – Junior shortstop Codi Collins (Waterbury, VT) had a big game going 3-for-3 with three runs. Freshman right fielder Jazmin Stevens (Colebrook, NH) was 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs. Her two-run double gave Norwich a 9-5 lead in the fifth. The Cadets made four errors that led to eight unearned runs.
Game 2 Highlights
Western New England College – Senior second base player Steph Ganser (Fairfield, CT), Nelson, and junior third base player Meredith Pacelli (Hamden, CT) hit back-to-back-to-back homers in the fifth. Freshman Lisa Mortenson (Candia, NH) belted a three-run homer for her first collegiate round tripper. Ganser and Pacelli each had three hits and three RBI. Nelson has eight homers this spring. Freshman Vic Lopinuso (West Islip, NY) allowed only one run in four innings of relief for her first collegiate win.
Norwich – The Cadets smacked two homers of their own with Stevens clouting a three-run shot in the fourth followed by a solo shot by senior Allison Weber (Canton, PA two batters later. Stevens added a two-run single to finish 2-for-5 with five RBI. Junior pitcher/left fielder Justine Caron (Lowell, MA) went 3-for-4 with two runs and a RBI.
Western New England College was the visiting team in the doubleheader after the games were moved from Northfield, Vermont to Springfield.
