Softball: Lasers go 1-1 on Day 1 of spring-break trip

CLERMONT, Fla. - Senior Brianna Gendreau of the Lasell University softball team went a combined 4-of-7 batting, with three runs, on Sunday in two games during the spring-break trip, as the Lasers defeated Beloit, 9-2, and lost to Roger Williams, 5-1.

"We had a great second game," said Lasell University Softball Head Coach Sarah Woodside. "Our bats came alive, we were focused, our defense was solid and our pitchers did their job. We learned a lot during our first game and are looking forward to the rest of the week."

Freshmen Samara Turgeon, Meghan Theall, Emily Mestas and Mackenzie Still recorded their first collegiate hits in the doubleheader. Junior Angelena Piers and Mestas each went 2-of-3 batting against the Hawks (1-4). 

During the triumph over the Buccaneers (0-4), Gendreau (3 of 4, 2 runs), Turgeon (1 of 3, 2 runs, RBI, home run), Katie Hopkins (2 of 3, 3 runs, RBI, double, walk) and Eryn Sheeley (2 of 3, RBI) performed well. Sheeley earned the win in the circle, working four innings and giving up no runs and two hits. She struck out six and retired the side in order during the first inning.

Game 2 (Lasell 9, Beloit 2):

During the bottom of the second, Hopkins led off with a walk, and then scored three at-bats later on a sacrifice fly to center by Still, putting Lasell in front, 1-0. The Lasers blew the game open in the third, compiling five runs and six hits and taking advantage of two errors by Beloit.

The Lasers kept rolling in the fourth, putting another three runs on the scoreboard. Turgeon tallied an inside-the-park homer to open the inning, and then Hopkins tallied a one-run double up the middle. An RBI ground out to third by Sheeley extended the team's cushion to 9-0. 

The Buccaneers found their way onto the scoreboard with two runs in the top of the fifth to end the scoring. Kit Kronberger went 2 of 3 in the batter's box for Beloit.

Lasell held an 11-5 advantage in hits and only made one error. Theall pitched the final three innings. She only gave up one earned run and three hits, while posting a 1-2-3 seventh.

Game 1 (Roger Williams 5, Lasell 1):

The Hawks loaded the bases in the bottom of the second inning, and then Sydney Provencal posted a three-run, bases-clearing double to left, giving Roger Williams a 3-0 advantage. The Hawks extended their lead to 5-0 with a two-run third.

During the top of the fourth, Gendreau, Theall and Mestas tallied infield singles to load the bases. Sophomore Ally Kirck drew a one-out walk and Gendreau trotted across home, cutting the deficit to 5-1 and ending the scoring.

Nine Hawks recorded a hit in the game, led by a 2-of-3 performance by Alex Lombardo. Lia Nocella earned the win in the circle, as she was tagged with no runs and three hits in four innings of relief work. Sheeley was fantastic in a relief role for the Lasers, giving up no runs and two hits in 2 2/3 innings. Her pitch control was outstanding, as she did not walk a single batter and struck out four.

The Hawks led the hits' category, 10-8, while Lasell made two errors and Roger Williams had one miscue.

Up Next:

The Lasers will compete against Meredith and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Monday at 3 and 5:15 p.m., respectively, in Leesburg, Florida.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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