NEWTON, Mass. (4/12/15) – The Lasell College softball team honored its two seniors before sweeping Anna Maria (1-0, 2-1) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Taylor Field. The win bumps the Lasers to 8-17 overall and 5-8 in the GNAC, while the AMCATS drop to 3-20 this spring and 1-14 in conference play.
Seniors Denise Archetto (Cranston, R.I.) and Michaelea Grady (Worcester, Mass.) have presented outstanding leadership and dedication to the Lasell softball program. During their four years of commitment, Archetto and Grady have perfectly represented Lasell College, and we wish them well in their future.
Game One: Lasell 1 Anna Maria: 0
Junior Emily DeAngelis (Shelton, Conn.) was the deciding factor in the hosts' 1-0 victory, as she crushed her third home run of the year to go along with a double on a 2-for-3 day. Freshman Ashley Gatchell (Franklin, Mass.) and sophomore Erin Smith (Gorham, Maine) each went 2-for-3 as well while Grady and junior Erin Larghi (Wakefield, R.I.) each swung into a single for the home team.
Junior Lindsay Bond (Webster, Mass.) cranked a double and a single from her three at bat's to account for the visitors' hitting.
After four scoreless innings, DeAngelis took the plate as the second batter and rocketed a home run to give the Lasers' the 1-0 advantage. In the top of the sixth, senior Justine Lalonde (Shirley, N.Y.) worked a walk and advanced to second via a sacrifice bunt from freshman Amanda Lemire (Methuen, Mass.). The Lasers' put away two outs on the following plays to end the inning, and grabbed the first game 1-0.
Junior pitcher Eileen Bergin (Arlington, Mass.) dominated the mound for the Lasers, allowing two hits and a single walk on seven innings pitched. For the AMCATS, senior Nichole Lowe (Saugus, Mass.) suffered the loss on the hill, scattering 10 hits in six innings.
Game Two: Lasell 2 Anna Maria: 1
DeAngelis continued her offensive burst in the second game with a double and an RBI, while Archetto, Smith, junior Nichole LeBlanc (Easton, Mass.) and freshman Mickayla Cobb (Middleboro, Mass.) each cranked out at least one hit for the Lasers.
Anna Maria registered three hits in game two, highlighted by an RBI by Bond and a double from junior Elizabeth Haggerty (Charlton, Mass.).
Anna Maria changed the pace of the DH, as Haggerty led off the inning with a double to left field. Freshman Jacqueline Lapierre (Worcester, Mass.) advanced Haggery to third from a sacrifice bunt as Bond took the plate. On a single to short, Bond drove Haggerty home to give the visitors the early 1-0 lead.
The Lasers bounced back in the third inning with the equalizer, as Smith sprinted home from second base via a single up the middle from Archetto.
After a single to left from Archetto, LeBlanc singled up the middle to load first and second base in anticipation of DeAngelis' heavy hitting. A double to the left field fence sent Archetto across home plate, where the Lasers' took the 2-1 lead for good.
Sophomore pitcher Krystal Enko (Haydenville, Mass.) pitched a full seven innings with four strikeouts, three hits, and one earned run, while junior thrower Angela Vousboukis (Swampscott, Mass.) allowed eight hits and two runs (one earned) in the losing effort.
The Lasers return to GNAC doubleheader action on Monday, April 13, when they host Simmons College at 3:30 p.m. as the visiting team, while the AMCATS travel to Standish, Maine on Wednesday, April 15 for a conference twinbill against Saint Joseph's (Me.).