Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Western New England University softball team exploded for 26 runs and 27 hits to sweep visiting Nichols College in a Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader at Golden Bear Park on Wednesday, 16-1 in 5 innings in the first game and 10-3 in the nightcap. Western New England improves to 10-7 overall and 4-0 in the CCC, while the Bison dip to 2-12 on the season and 0-4 in the league.

All but one WNE starter in the lineup got at least one hit in the opener. Sophomore catcher Grace Kucharski went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a run batted in. Sophomore Emily Mastropaolo had a breakout game with a season-high three hits and joined freshman Alexis Bukowski and junior Katie Eckert as Golden Bears with three RBI. Senior co-captain Jeana Longo walked twice, scored a run and had a RBI.

In the circle, sophomore pitcher Lauren Zambrano worked four innings to improve to 8-2. Zambrano allowed one hit, an earned run and four walks, but she did strikeout six batters. She also helped her own cause by going 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk, RBI and two runs scored.

Leading 2-0, Western New England blew the game wide open with 12 runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Jordan D'Aurio had the Bison's lone hit when she singled down left-field line for a RBI.

After Zambrano lost both her no-hit and shutout bids, sophomore Carolyn Hajdusek came in the fifth to throw a scoreless fifth inning without giving up a hit.

In the second game, junior leadoff batter Maria Francese led WNE's 13-hit attack with three to go along with two RBI. Kucharski had another strong outing by going 2-for-4 with three RBI, and senior co-captain Laura Madaio and freshman Ashley Adamson both added two hits.

Caitlyn O'Loughlin paced the Bison with two hits.

Nichols jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a three-run blast over the left-center fence by pitcher Danielle White.

The Golden Bears were frustrated by White who stranded six runners through four innings...until the fifth. That's when the Golden Bears sent 13 batters to the plate to score eight times on five hits, four errors and a walk. Kucharski highlighted the frame with a wind-blown, three-run homer that bounced on top of and over the right-center fence.

After a shaky start in which she surrendered three runs, freshman pitcher Leah Torre settled in nicely to earn the win. She posted a career-high six strikeouts and scattered six hits in five innings of work. Freshman Heidi Grieger went the final two innings and pitched scoreless, 1-hit ball that included three strikeouts.