Seventh inning rally helps Anna Maria salvage split with Endicott
March 29, 2011
Wenham, Mass. – Senior pitcher Jenna Bortolotti (Milton, Mass.) threw a complete game shutout for the second straight game to help the Endicott softball team win 10-0 in game one of a double-header against Anna Maria. The AMCATS bounced back with a 5-4 victory in game two after rallying from three down to score four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to steal the win.
With the split, Endicott moves to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) play while Anna Maria stays level at 8-8 overall. The AMCATS picked up their first conference win of the year and stand at 1-3.
Game One Recap: Endicott 10, Anna Maria 0 (5 Innings)
Game One Boxscore
Bortolotti went the distance, allowing three hits while striking out three to improve to 4-3 on the season. The Gulls put runs on the board in all five innings including two in the first.
Freshman shortstop Mattie Brett (Waterford, Conn.) hit her first home run of the season and finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Nicole Devlin (Dudley, Mass.) had a team-high two RBIs for Endicott, who scored ten runs on just five hits thanks in part to four Anna Maria errors. Classmate Jocelyn Russo (Middletown, Conn.) finished 1-for-2 with three runs scored in the win.
Anna Maria’s Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, Mass.) went one and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (one earned) despite giving up just one hit. Michelle Blackler (Ashland, Mass.) pitched three and a third innings in relief and gave up six runs while striking out a pair.
Game Two Recap: Endicott 4, Anna Maria 5
Game Two Boxscore
Endicott took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning before the Anna Maria awoke for four runs to pick up its first conference win of the year. Jill Hurley’s (Worcester, Mass.) sacrifice fly to left field with one out scored Sarah Boyda (Oxford, Mass.) from third to secure the win.
The Gulls jumped on top 3-0 through the first half inning after piecing together a two-out rally. Jennie Lacolla (Stoneham, Mass.) walked before Hayley Hovhanessian (Farmington, Conn.) stepped up and laced a double to deep center. Lacolla met the throw at home and dislodged the ball from the catcher, allowing Hovhanessian to score from third. Brett kept the inning alive with a single through the left side before Byrne Katz (Trumbull, Conn.) drove her home with an infield single.
Boyda led off the bottom of the second with a single up the middle before stealing second and advancing to third on a ground out by Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, Mass.). An error later allowed Boyda to score and keep the AMCATS within striking distance.
Endicott’s Nell O’Connor (Harwich, Mass.) and Anna Maria’s Hackenson settled down from there as both teams went scoreless through the next three innings.
Lacolla led off with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, her third of the year, to give the Gulls a 4-1 lead.
With the split, Endicott moves to 9-5 overall and 3-1 in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) play while Anna Maria stays level at 8-8 overall. The AMCATS picked up their first conference win of the year and stand at 1-3.
Game One Recap: Endicott 10, Anna Maria 0 (5 Innings)
Game One Boxscore
Bortolotti went the distance, allowing three hits while striking out three to improve to 4-3 on the season. The Gulls put runs on the board in all five innings including two in the first.
Freshman shortstop Mattie Brett (Waterford, Conn.) hit her first home run of the season and finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Sophomore Nicole Devlin (Dudley, Mass.) had a team-high two RBIs for Endicott, who scored ten runs on just five hits thanks in part to four Anna Maria errors. Classmate Jocelyn Russo (Middletown, Conn.) finished 1-for-2 with three runs scored in the win.
Anna Maria’s Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, Mass.) went one and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs (one earned) despite giving up just one hit. Michelle Blackler (Ashland, Mass.) pitched three and a third innings in relief and gave up six runs while striking out a pair.
Game Two Recap: Endicott 4, Anna Maria 5
Game Two Boxscore
Endicott took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning before the Anna Maria awoke for four runs to pick up its first conference win of the year. Jill Hurley’s (Worcester, Mass.) sacrifice fly to left field with one out scored Sarah Boyda (Oxford, Mass.) from third to secure the win.
The Gulls jumped on top 3-0 through the first half inning after piecing together a two-out rally. Jennie Lacolla (Stoneham, Mass.) walked before Hayley Hovhanessian (Farmington, Conn.) stepped up and laced a double to deep center. Lacolla met the throw at home and dislodged the ball from the catcher, allowing Hovhanessian to score from third. Brett kept the inning alive with a single through the left side before Byrne Katz (Trumbull, Conn.) drove her home with an infield single.
Boyda led off the bottom of the second with a single up the middle before stealing second and advancing to third on a ground out by Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, Mass.). An error later allowed Boyda to score and keep the AMCATS within striking distance.
Endicott’s Nell O’Connor (Harwich, Mass.) and Anna Maria’s Hackenson settled down from there as both teams went scoreless through the next three innings.
Lacolla led off with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, her third of the year, to give the Gulls a 4-1 lead.
Anna Maria’s seventh inning rally was ignited by three straight singles. Dominique Marchard (Mendon, Mass.) and Kayla Cummings (Auburn, Maine) each reached base before Samantha Putis’ (Charlton, Mass.) RBI single scored Marchard from second. O’Connor struck out the next batter before Boyda connected for her second hit of the game to score Cummings and cut the deficit to one.
Bortolotti got the call in relief and inherited runners on the corners with one out. Ruggeri singled to left field to score Moran from third before an infield single loaded the bases, setting the stage for Hurley’s sacrifice fly.
Endicott stranded ten runners in the loss included two in the sixth and one in the seventh.
The Gulls return to action tomorrow for their home opener against Gordon beginning at 3:00 pm. The AMCATS will travel to New England College tomorrow for another conference double-header beginning at 3:30 pm.
Bortolotti got the call in relief and inherited runners on the corners with one out. Ruggeri singled to left field to score Moran from third before an infield single loaded the bases, setting the stage for Hurley’s sacrifice fly.
Endicott stranded ten runners in the loss included two in the sixth and one in the seventh.
The Gulls return to action tomorrow for their home opener against Gordon beginning at 3:00 pm. The AMCATS will travel to New England College tomorrow for another conference double-header beginning at 3:30 pm.