LeBlanc Becomes All-Time Hits Leader in GNAC Split with Rivier

Auburndale, Mass. (04/23/2016) The Lasell softball team honored its four graduating seniors in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) split with Rivier University on Saturday afternoon at Taylor Field. The Lasers improve their record to 7-21 and 4-12 in the GNAC while the Raiders advance to 9-17 and 4-12 in the GNAC.

Senior Nicole LeBlanc (Easton, Mass.) highlighted the day for the Lasers earning her 100^th career RBI as well as becoming the all-time hit leader for Lasell with her 163^rd career hit.

Game One: Lasell 9 Rivier 1 (6 Innings)

In game one, Leblanc was a single away from the cycle while driving in four runners and crossing home plate twice, as fellow classmate Emily DeAngelis (Shelton, Conn.) earned two base knocks and scored twice for the Lasers.

Junior Nicole Scotti (Concord, N.H.) reached base twice on two singles in game one, while senior Sam Verney (Goffstown, N.H.) ripped a triple and eventually came around to score the lone run for the Raiders.

The Lasers started the game off quickly against the Raiders when LeBlanc hit a two-run double and eventually came home to take a 3-0 lead. After a triple by Verney scored a run for the Raiders, Leblanc doubled home a run and sophomore Laura MacLeod (Old Saybrook, Conn.) ripped a solo home run in the third, the first of her career.

Lasell blew the game open in the fourth inning when LeBlanc tripled home senior Erin Larghi (Wakefield, R.I.) and DeAngelis singled in LeBlanc to take the lead 8-1. The game came to an end when senior Eileen Bergin (Arlington, Mass.) hit the game winning single to score fellow senior DeAngelis.

Lasers' starting pitcher Bergin allowed one run on five hits over six innings while striking out five Raiders, as senior pitcher for the Raiders Jess Shanahan (Merrimack, N.H.) allowed eight runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings. Bergin improved to 3-10, while Shanahan fell to 2-9.

Game Two: Rivier 9 Lasell 3

LeBlanc shined on senior day earning two more hits and driving in a run, which was her 100^th career ribbie, while Larghi smacked a two-run triple and came home to score on the following at-bat. Sophomore Erin Smith (Gorham, Maine) reached base three times on the day and scored a run in the third.

Junior Sheylyn Freitas (Pelham, N.H.) earned three hits (two for doubles) while driving in two runs and crossing the plate twice, as Scotti singled twice and drove in three runs for the Raiders. Senior Lia Bobek and junior Destiny Jordan also notched two hits in game two to help lead the Raiders' hot hitting.

Rivier got on the board in the second inning on an RBI triple by Bobek and she came home on the next at-bat. In the third, Larghi tripled home two runs and scored on a sacrifice fly by LeBlanc to take their first and only lead of the game. The Raiders broke the game open in the following inning with six runs generated by six hits (two doubles), two walks and an error.

The Raiders tacked on another run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Scotti to extend their lead to 9-3. While the Lasers were able to get a few base runners on, they were unable to capitalize in the later innings.

Lasers' sophomore starter Lydia Lewis-Hicks (Seekonk, Mass.) allowed five runs on nine hits over 3 1/3 innings while senior Taylor Miller (Haverhill, Mass.) threw a complete game while giving up three hits on seven hits. Relief pitcher junior Krystel Enko (Haydenville, Mass.) received the loss, dropping her record to 2-9 while Miller improved to 5-5.

Prior to the twinbill, Lasell College honored its four softball graduating seniors. Bergin, LeBlanc, DeAngelis, and Larghi have demonstrated leadership, dedication, and perseverance during their stints at Lasell, and we look forward to following their success.

The Lasell softball team will host Emmanuel College for a doubleheader tomorrow at Taylor Field at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.