Softball Mercy Rules Western New England Twice On The Road

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Endicott softball team swept Western New England (11-0, 5 inn. | 8-0, 6 inn.) in conference action on Tuesday evening at Golden Bear Softball Park.

GAME ONE: Endicott 11, Western New England 0 (5 inn.)

WP (5-4): Jaylin Couto (Taunton, Mass.) — 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K
LP (1-1): Evelyn Picone (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) — 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Christina Nowicki (Chelsea, Mass.) gave the Gulls an immediate jolt with her first career leadoff homer to deep left field, and Couto took care of the rest in the circle.

The graduate student pitcher only allowed two runners to reach second base in her team-leading third shutout of the season.

Endicott scored at least one run in every inning and notched 13 hits total, the Gulls' third-best output this season.

GAME TWO: Endicott 8, Western New England 0 (6 inn.)

WP (7-1): Kristen Beebe (Brentwood, N.H.) — 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K
LP (8-7): Riley Kane (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) — 6 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

The Gulls utilized a six-run second inning to pull away from Western New England and complete the sweep. 

Endicott's second inning outburst featured a Nowicki bases loaded walk, a two-run single by Mia Mitchell (Medford, Mass.), and back-to-back RBI base hits from Chloe Shapleigh (Lynnfield, Mass.) and Elyse Saccoccio (Coventry, R.I.). 

Shapleigh and Saccoccio also executed a perfect delayed double steal to cap the scoring as Shapleigh ran into a rundown at first to allow Saccoccio to sneak in at home. 

In the circle, Beebe was in command from the start, retiring the first eight batters she faced in order before issuing a two-out walk in the third.

Her no-hit bid was broken up in the sixth on a one-out single to center.

Beebe finished the game with a season-high-tying eight strikeouts.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORES

• Endicott is 38-14 all-time against Western New England (winners of seven straight).
• The Gulls are 6-2 on the road this season. 
• Couto is tied for third all-time in wins (47).
• Mitchell has reached base safely in six straight games.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (17-10, 11-2 CNE) hosts Tufts tomorrow for one game, starting at 4 PM. Western New England (16-11-1, 6-5-1 CNE) visits Springfield on Wednesday at 3 PM. 

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(Photo Credit - Bradley Griffin '28)