Gulls shutout UNE to advance in TCCC Tourny
May 1, 2008
Game 1 Box Score - Game 2 Box Score
BEVERLY, Mass. - Endicott College senior Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, Mass.) tossed a complete game shutout to lead the Gulls past the University of New England, 3-0, in the second game of a TCCC Tournament doubleheader held at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. The Nor'easters advanced to play Endicott by defeating Gordon College, 9-0, in game one.
The Gulls got things going early in game two, facing UNE's Sarah Hamel (Rochester, N.H.) who had thrown a shutout against EC the last time they faced each other. Sophomore Jenna Lazar (Milton, Mass.) led things off with a walk and was promptly moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, Maine). Senior Rachel Pearson followed with an RBI single scoring Lazar and putting the Gulls ahead 1-0.
The Green and Blue were back at it in the bottom of the third when left fielder Danielle Sargent reached on a costly Nor'easters error. After an infield single by Pearson put runners on first and second with no outs, Endicott showed their respect for Hamel by asking TCCC Player of the Year Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, Mass.) to drop down a sacrifice bunt. After a ground out left the runners stranded at second and third with two outs, it appeared the strategy might backfire. But a wild pitch by Hamel allowed Danielle Sargent to scamper home, putting EC up by the score of 2-0.
The Gulls added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when sophomore Merry MacDonald (Braintree, Mass.) reached on a bunt single, stole second, and came home on an RBI single by second baseman Sarah Spaziano (Norton, Mass.)
Jenn Elwell was excellent throughout the game, and struck out the side in the seventh to finish the Nor'easters, 3-0.
With the win Elwell improves to 13-3 on the season. The shutout was her fourth of the season and lowered her ERA to 1.66 on the year. She gave up six hits in seven innings while striking out eight and walking none.
Offensively the Gulls were led by Rachel Pearson and Sarah Spaziano who both collected a pair of hits and an RBI in the win.
Senior Sarah Hamel took the loss for UNE, falling to 12-7 on the year. She surrendered six hits and three runs over six innings of work.
The Nor'easters defeated Gordon College in game one by the score of 9-0 in five innings via the mercy rule.
Junior Jess Silvio earned the win for UNE, throwing a one-hit shutout to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Nor'easters would led offensively by shortstop Katie Morin (Lewiston, Maine) who was 2-3 with two doubles, two runs scored, and three RBI in the win.
Endicott improves to 36-4 with the win and will remain in the winner's bracket of the TCCC Tournament. With the split UNE is now 23-13 overall, while Gordon falls to 14-22. Both teams now enter the loser's bracket and will have to win-out to capture the TCCC Championship. The Gulls will take the field again on Friday when they take on Western New England College at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. Game time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. or twenty minutes after the conclusion of game one.