Worcester, MA --- Freshman Nicole McDonough (Abington MA) smacked a two-run double in the bottom of sixth inning of game two to help WPI rally to complete a sweep of visiting Anna Maria in its home softball opener on Saturday afternoon. The Engineers (9-5) took the doubleheader by scores of 16-8 and 7-5.
Trailing 6-5 in the nightcap, the rookie laced her only hit of the contest over the centerfielder's head to plate Maddie Willer (Penfield, NY) and Lauren DiFelice (Acushnet, MA). McDonough would give WPI an insurance run when she came in to score on a Juliana Fekete (Belgrade, ME) double one batter later.
The hosts had jumped out to a 3-0 lead in game two on a Katherine Fitton (Lebanon CT) two-run homer in the first and solo blast by Allie Roche (Chelmsford, MA) in the second. The AMCATS (7-5) roared back in the third to seize the lead with four runs highlighted by a Marry Moroksi (Worcester, MA) three-run home run to center.
Before McDonough's heroics, the Engineers tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Kim Martilla (Kings Park, NY) only to see Anna Maria surge ahead again in the sixth on an RBI single from Kayla Cummings (Auburn, ME).
Pitcher Erin Flaherty (Stoughton, MA) did not allow an earned run over the first six innings for WPI. The junior moves her record to 4-3 on the spring. Classmate Allie Hardy (West Townsend MA) pitched a perfect seventh inning for her first save of the season and second of her career. Michelle Blackler (Ashland, MA) went the distance for the AMCATS, allowing just five earned runs while slipping to 4-2 on the year.
Fitton went 3-for-4 and knocked in a pair of runs and Erin Beaulieu (Bethany, CT) plated three runs as she was a perfect 3-for-3 in the opener.
Anna Maria leapt out to a 4-0 lead in the first on a three-run shot by Allyssa Boykin (Worcester, MA) and a trio of singles by Cummings, Samantha Putis (Charlton MA) and Dominique Marchand (Mendon MA).
The Engineers answered right back with three runs of their own. McDonough launched the first pitch over the fence and, after a single by Beaulieu, an error allowed Fitton to reach and a pair of wild pitches enabled both to score.
WPI added a couple runs in the second for a 5-4 edge. Fekete singled and brought in a run, while McDonough crossed home plate on an AMCAT miscue.
A three-run homer by Jill Hurley (Worcester, MA) put Anna Maria ahead 7-5 in the fourth. Later in the inning, Boykin connected for a solo home run for an 8-5 advantage.
In the bottom half of the frame, WPI took back the lead with a five run spurt. Beaulieu plated three runs on a home run to center field and a pair of throwing mistakes scored Martilla and Sarah Johnson (Eastham, MA) who were on via a walks. The Crimson and Gray evoked the eight-run rule with a six-spot in the bottom of the fifth. Fitton and Martilla each had RBI before Johnson's two-run single up the middle ended the game.
Sophomore Christa Coscia (Lakeville, MA) improved to 3-2 with the win in the circle for WPI. Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, MA), the first of three AMC pitchers, absorbed the loss for the AMCATS to level her record at 3-3.
Both teams are back in action with home contests on Wednesday. WPI entertains Amherst in a single game at 4pm while Anna Maria begins CCC play by hosting Endicott in a 3pm doubleheader.
