Endicott continues winning ways versus Babson

April 13, 2008

Game 1 Box Score - Game 2 Box Score

BABSON PARK, Mass. - Endicott College junior Jackie Collier (Swampscott, Mass.) fired a one-hit shutout and senior Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, Conn.) drove in the only two runs with a pinch-hit double as the Gulls defeated host Babson College, 2-0, to complete a doubleheader sweep of the Beavers in non-conference softball action on Sunday afternoon. Endicott, which took the opener by a score of 8-1, improved to 24-3 on the year, while Babson dropped to 20-14.

Already armed with a 2-1 advantage, the Gulls erupted for six runs in the sixth inning to claim the eventual 8-1 victory in game one. Senior Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, Maine) went 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the visitors, while sophomore Megan Downey (Ballston, Lake, N.Y.) added two hits and two runs scored.

Babson first-year Nicole Giuliano (North Reading, Mass.) drove in sophomore Michelle Bolduc (Darien, Conn.) with a pinch-hit double in the fifth, but that would be all the Beavers would muster against Endicott first-year pitcher Jenna Bortolotti (Milton, Mass.). The rookie righty gave up just one run on five hits while striking out three in the complete game effort, improving her season record to 3-0. Babson first-year Caroline Barr (Wilmington, Mass.) suffered the loss to fall to 2-3.

Collier was magnificent in game two, giving up just one hit and four walks while striking out six in a seven-inning gem. The junior righthander's only blemish came in the bottom of the fourth, when Bolduc dumped a bloop single into shallow left for Babson's lone hit. Bolduc would get as far as second after a walk to sophomore Britt Russo (Middletown, Conn.), but Collier retired 11 of the final 12 batters she faced to complete the shutout. The win upped her season mark to a perfect 6-0.

Babson senior ace Jess Byrn (Safety Harbor, Fla.) was also outstanding in the nightcap, matching Collier through the first five innings. However, Endicott finally broke through in the top of the sixth, as sophomore Merry MacDonald (Braintree, Mass.) led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Byrn then issued a walk to junior Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, Mass.), but bounced back to fan the next hitter for the inning's second out. That set the stage for Pearson, who came off the bench and smacked a 1-1 offering off the base of the wall in left center, scoring MacDonald and Sargent with the game's only runs.

For the game, Byrn allowed just two runs on six hits, walked two and struck out five, as she fell to 11-7 on the year.

Endicott will play again on Tuesday, traveling to Dudley, Mass. to take on Nichols College in a doubleheader. Game times are scheduled for 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.