SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Senior Sarah Hamel (Rochester, NH) was the winning pitcher with a pair of complete game performances as the University of New England softball team defeated Western New England College 2-1 in eight innings and 4-2 Sunday afternoon (Apr. 20) in Commonwealth Coast Conference action.
Hamel tossed a two-hitter in the opener allowing an unearned run while striking out 11 and walking four. She gave up seven hits in the second contest with seven strikeouts and two walks.
UNE (18-10, 14-6 TCCC) scored an unearned run in the eighth to take the victory in the first game. Senior leftfielder Lisa Baillargeon (Berlin, NH) had two hits, including a RBI double that gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the seventh.
Western New England College tied the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. Junior Laura Bower (Hudson, MA) pitched well in a losing effort giving up seven hits while striking out 13 and walking two.
In the second game, UNE scored four times in the seventh with Hamel going 3-for-3 and knocking in two runs with a single.
Western New England College took a 2-0 lead in the third on a solo homer by sophomore right-fielder Christina Farese (Marlborough, MA) and RBI single by senior third base player Meredith Pacelli (Hamden, CT). It was the fifth round-tripper of the year for Farese who leads the team in that category.
Senior Alex Paterson (Deep River, CT) kept the Nor'easters off the board for six innings before the deciding final frame.
WNEC played the twinbill without shortstop/pitcher Brittany DeGennaro (Orange, CT) who was injured in Saturday's doubleheader sweep at Salve Regina.
The Golden Bears fall to 20-12 overall and 12-6 in the conference.
