NEWPORT, R.I. (April 9, 2016) - The Western New England University softball team swept Salve Regina University in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) doubleheader this afternoon at Toppa Field, winning the first game, 3-1, and the second, 4-3. The Golden Bears improve to 12-8 (6-0 CCC) while the Seahawks fall to 3-11 (1-3 CCC).
 
Western New England 3, Salve Regina 1
In the Golden Bears' first contest, junior Gabby Lavinio (Dalton, Mass) broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning with a single up the middle, scoring classmate Corianna DeLisi (Tuxedo, N.Y.). Lavinio plated two runs on two hits and DeLisi added two hits and scored two runs.
 
Later that inning, senior Alexis Bukowski (Wallingford, Conn) knocked a two-out single to center field, scoring sophomore Jen Zazzarino (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and providing the Golden Bears with an insurance run.
 
Senior co-captain Heidi Grieger (Hyde Park, N.Y.) improved her pitching record to 7-4, scattering four hits over seven innings while giving up no earned runs. She also picked up two hits in three at-bats.
 
Lavinio's first RBI came in the first inning, driving in DeLisiâ€"who singled to start the gameâ€"on a triple to right field. But, in the third inning, the Seahawks pushed across a run when Genevieve Benoit (Swampscott, Mass) reached on an error, scoring Nikki Bukovsky (Westport, Conn), knotting the game up at 1-1.
 
For the Seahawks, freshman Elizabeth Lombardo (Thomaston, Conn) went 2-for-3, and Amanda Riley (Barrington, N.H.) and Emily Woznick (Sandy Hook, Conn) both picked up a hit.
 
Western New England 4, Salve Regina 3
Looking to continue their winning momentum, the Golden Bears opened up the second contest with three first-inning runs. DeLisi led off with a single and advanced to second on an error. Then, continuing her red-hot hitting, Lavinio doubled to center field, scoring DeLisi and giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead. Following Lavinio's double, the Golden Bears loaded the bases and freshman Emile Baldwin (Florence, Mass.) drove in two runs with a double to left field. Immediately after, Bukowki drove in another run with a single, pushing the Golden Bears' lead to 4-0.
 
Lavinio's double was one of her two hits. She's currently leading the CCC in batting average and RBI, hitting .492 and knocking in 20 runs. DeLisi went 2-for-5, Baldwin added two hits, and Bukowski went 2-for-3 with a walk.
 
After surrendering four early runs, the Seahawks answered in the bottom of the first, cutting the Golden Bears' lead to 4-2. Lombardo singled, which scored Lindsey Florent (New Bedford, Mass), who reached base on a double. Then, Riley lined a single up the middle, which drove in Lombardo.
 
Florent scored on a wild pitch in the second, cutting the deficit to one run, but the trio of junior Samantha DiGiovanni (Shirley, N.Y) and sophomores Sarah Broderick (Woodbury, Conn.) and Emily Cramer (Stoughton, Mass.) shut down the Seahawks the rest of the way.
 
Broderick, who picked up the win, tossed four innings without allowing a run and striking out five batters. Cramer earned her CCC-leading second save of the season, pitching 1-2/3 innings without surrendering a hit.
 
Western New England, which is 9-1 since returning from its season-opening trip in Florida, will be right back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader against Endicott College at Golden Bear Softball Park. Salve Regina is also in action tomorrow with two games at Wentworth.