SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore right-fielder Christina Farese (Marlborough, MA) capped a 4-4 performance at the plate with a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Western New England College softball team a dramatic 8-7 victory over visiting Endicott College in the first game of doubleheader in its home debut Thursday (March 27).

The Gulls, ranked second in the weekly New England Division III coaches poll, earned a split by taking an 8-0 decision in the nightcap in a game called after five innings because of the mercy rule.

These were The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) opening games for both squads.

Farese, hitting ninth in the lineup, entered the contest with only one-hit in 11 at-bats, but she was the difference after belting two doubles and finishing with five RBI.

Endicott scored three unearned runs in the seventh to go ahead 6-5 before the Golden Bears tied the contest in the bottom of the inning. A couple of terrific defensive plays by the Gulls sent the game into extra innings.

Senior catcher Allison Glassick (Newport, CT), senior third base player Meredith Pacelli (Hamden, CT), and junior center-fielder Brenna Fitzgerald (Manchester, NH) each had two hits and a run scored for the Golden Bears.

Senior designated player Steph Ganser (Fairfield, CT) slugged her first homer of the season.

Junior pitcher Laura Bower (Hudson, MA) went the distance to even her record at 3-3.

Senior designated player Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, CT) had two hits while junior catcher Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, MA) also ripped her first round tripper of the spring.

In the second game, sophomore pitcher Maria Mangine (Lockport, NY) tossed a six-hitter to keep her record perfect at 4-0. She also went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Pearson added another 2-for-3 effort with a double and three RBI.

Western New England College stays at the .500 level with a 6-6 record while Endicott now has a 9-2 mark.