Softball Swept by Salve Regina

Softball Swept by Salve Regina

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Salve Regina University picked up a pair of victories over Mitchell College on Tuesday afternoon, winning by final scores of 14-8 and 3-2 in non-conference softball action at Alumni Field.

The Seahawks slugged four home runs in the sweep to improve to 15-12 on the season. Maddie Machado led the charge with a 5-for-8 day at the plate that included three doubles, a homer and three RBI. Lauren Packer, Jaycee Garrigan and Amanda Riley also went deep as the Seahawks combined for 18 hits in the twin bill.

Kaitlin Thibodeau-Corey went 3-for-6 with a double and four RBI to pace Mitchell. Alex Lopez added a double and a home run and also knocked in four runs.

Mitchell (8-13 overall) will next play at Becker College on Saturday, April 13 at noon. Salve Regina returns to action at Western New England University on Saturday at noon.

Game 1 – Salve Regina 14, Mitchell 8

The visitors put up four runs in the second inning to take control early. Emilee Angell drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to right-center. Lindsey Florent followed with an RBI triple and quickly scored on a double by Machado.

The 4-0 lead stood until the Mariners rallied for seven runs in the fifth. A two-run double by Thibodeau-Corey got Mitchell on the board, and an RBI single by Nene Capeles closed the gap to one. A pair of walks then loaded the bases for Lopez, who drilled a towering shot over the fence in right-center to give the Mariners their first lead at 7-4. The home run was her second of the season.

The Seahawks didn't wait long to respond, striking for eight runs in the top of the sixth to go up 12-7. Seven of the eight runs came with two outs on the board, and Riley and Packer both supplied three-run homers in the frame.

Garrigan picked up the win in relief, closing out the final 2.1 innings to improve to 1-2 on the year. Starter Julia Coute allowed four runs on six hits over 4.2 innings of work.

Mitchell starter Taylor Duchesneau surrendered 11 runs (four earned) on 10 hits over 5.2 innings in defeat.

Game 2 – Salve Regina 3, Mitchell 2 (5 innings)

Salve Regina snapped a 2-2 tie in the fifth on an RBI double by Machado. Reliever Andi Nelson then retired the Mariners in order in the home half to secure the win in a game shortened by darkness.

The Seahawks took a 2-0 lead in the third behind back-to-back homers from Machado and Garrigan. Machado launched her solo shot down the left-field line and Garrigan followed with a blast to left-center.

Mitchell made up the difference in the fourth. After a double by Lopez put two runners in scoring position with one out, Thibodeau-Corey singled to right to cut the deficit in half. The Mariners then loaded the bases and tied the game as Maliah Pabellon drew a walk to force in a run. Salve Regina made a pitching change and got out of the jam as Nelson struck out the next two batters to keep the game knotted at 2-2.

A one-out triple by Nikki Vanelli set the table for Machado in the fifth. The Seahawks finished with four extra-base hits in the nightcap.

Nelson didn't allow a hit in 1.2 innings of relief and improved to 11-4 inside the circle. Courtney Latta got the starting nod and lasted 3.1 innings while yielding two runs on four hits.

Mitchell starter Suzanne Vachon allowed three runs on five hits while striking out two.