Softball Drops GNAC Doubleheader to JWU

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (3/31/15)- The Lasell College softball team dropped a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader to Johnson and Wales University (R.I.) by scores of 8-0 and 9-5. The pair of losses drops the Lasers to 5-9 on the year and 2-2 in conference play, while the Wildcats advance to 3-5 this spring and open their GNAC schedule at 2-0.

The Lasers were paced by senior Denise Archetto (Cranston, R.i.) who went 4-for-6 on the day, followed by junior Erin Larghi (Wakefield, R.i.), who reached base safely twice in each contest. Junior Nicole LeBlanc (Easton, Mass.) also knocked in three runs in the effort for the Lasers.

Junior Cynthia Proby (Bremerton, Wash.) was 4-for-7 on the day with five RBI and five runs scored while freshman pitcher Jennifer Corona (Middle Island, N.Y.) earned both wins, hurling the complete game shutout in game one and an inning and a third of scoreless relief in game number two. 

In the opener, the Wildcats scored in each of the first four innings, including a two-run homerun from Proby in the second, to race out to a 6-0 advantage. Back-to-back bases loaded singles by sophomore Diana Amendolara (Newtown, Pa.) and classmate Kaycee Babineau (Medway, Mass.) in the bottom of the sixth sealed the 8-0 victory. Corona allowed five hits while striking out six in her second win of the season.

The Lasers bounced back in the second game of the day, opening the contest with an early 2-0 lead, coutesy of runs batted in by LeBlanc and Archetto. JWU was quick to respond and scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI double by sophomore Emily Gorecki (Bremerton, Wash.) and RBI groundout by Amendolara. A homerun by sophomore Natalie Kehlbeck(Weymouth, Mass.) in the bottom of the fourth and yet another RBI double from Gorecki helped JWU grab the 4-2 lead after five full.

LeBlanc and the Lasers did not go quietly as they tacked on three in the top of the sixth, highlighted by a two-run triple by LeBlanc.

The Wildcats' offense erupted with two outs in the bottom half of the sixth as Proby laced a three-run homerun and Gorecki connected for a two RBI double to move the score to 9-5. Corona shut the door in the seventh en route to the game two win. Gorecki finished the nightcap with three doubles and four RBI while LeBlanc and Archetto came away with three hits apiece.

The Wildcats will host Saint Joseph's (Me.) on Wednesday, April 1 for a GNAC doubleheader starting at 4:00 p.m., while the Lasers' schedule is tentative due to weather and field conditions.