SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Senior pitcher Laura Bower (Hudson, MA) fired a one-hitter as the Western New England College softball team blanked visiting Anna Maria 3-0 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday afternoon (April 23).
The Golden Bears compiled 15 hits and used a pair of four-run innings for a 10-4 victory in the second contest to complete the sweep.
Bower (8-5) was outstanding striking out 12 and allowing no walks. She took a no-hitter into the sixth before sophomore Sarah Boyda (Oxford, MA) singled with two outs for the Amcats' only hit.
WNEC scored a run in the first inning on a RBI double by junior Christina Farese (Marlborough, MA) who also singled in the game.
Sophomore first base player Trish Breault (Millville, MA) knocked in the second run with a double in the second.
The Golden Bears plated their final run in the fifth on a RBI single by sophomore Elyse Gauvin (Swansea, MA) who finished with two hits along with freshman third base player Sarah Lempicki (Southington, CT).
In the second game, freshman shortstop Sara Barnes (Berkley, MA) walloped a three-run homer and also tripled to help the hosts take a 5-4 lead after three innings.
Junior centerfielder Lauren Arsenault (Fitchburg, MA) contributed three hits, including a RBI double in a four-run sixth that broke the game open. She also scored a run and finished with two RBI.
Junior second base player Kate Post (Bridgewater, MA) and Gauvin each had two hits, including RBI singles in the decisive sixth.
Freshman designated player Rachel Wyrwa (Methuen, MA) chipped in with a single and double while Farese also collected two hits.
Lempicki pitched the first four innings to gain her sixth win in eight decisions. She struck out seven, walked one, and gave up four hits and four runs.
Junior Vic Lospinuso (West Islip, NY) went the final three frames allowing only one hit with three strikeouts.
AMC sophomore third base player Jill Hurley (Worcester, MA) had a two-run single in the third while freshman shortstop Becky Mercurio (Worcester, MA) had a triple, two runs scored, and a RBI.
Western New England College improves to 22-9 overall and 13-3 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC).
Anna Maria falls to 10-26 overall and 8-14 in the conference.
