CLERMONT, Fla. – The Roger Williams University softball team defeated Plymouth State, 4-2, before downing Lake Forest, 5-4, in extra innings.
Against the Panthers,
Skye Merrow (Hudson, N.H.) picked up the win, allowing five hits and four walks with three strikeouts, while holding Plymouth State scoreless through five innings of work.
Natalie Lundari (Flemington, N.J.) came in in relief giving up two runs, neither earned, with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.
At the plate,
Nicolette Fraser (Swampscott, Mass.) had three RBIs with a hit and a walk in the matchup.
Kasey Ruo (Smithfield, R.I.) also earned an RBI, with
Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.),
Taylor Howell (Sandwich, Mass.), and
Jamie Wells (Castle Rock, Colo.) each picking up a hit in the contest.
The Hawks opened the game in the bottom of the first, with Ruo being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring the first run of the game. Fraser then stepped up to the plate, hitting a bases clearing single, advancing to second on the throw home.
The game turned into a pitching duel, as it was scoreless until the top of the sixth inning, with Emily Bessette reaching on a single. After Bessette stole second, an error in the outfielder allowed for Bessette to make the turn around third base and score. The Panthers added another run after an error at third base, but it was not enough as the Hawks held on for the win.
Against Lakeland,
Raegen Germano (Old Tappan, N.J.) picked up the win pitching four innings, giving up an unearned run with a walk and a strikeout. Lundari got the start, allowing one earned run, and two runs, on three hits and a pair of walks.
Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) had three RBIs on three hits in four at bats in the contest, with
Christina Denovellis (Rocky Hill, Conn.) bringing in another RBI on a grounder to second.
After Lake Forest opened the game by hitting an inside the park home run to centerfield, the Foresters added another run in the third inning when Kelly Collins hit a two out single in the third inning, taking a 2-0 lead.
The Hawks then came back to level the score in the fifth inning, when Starratt hit a double, bringing in
Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.) and
Caroline Thomas (Cranston, R.I.).
With the game still knotted 2-2 heading into extra innings, Starratt again came up big in the clutch, knocking a double to left center field,
Cece Baptista (Central Falls, R.I.) and Williams came in to score to take a 4-2 lead, with Denovellis bringing in Starratt on a ground out to second base.
In the bottom half of the inning the Foresters added a run, but were unable to come back and level the score falling in eight innings.
Roger Williams (7-3, 0-0) will return to Bristol, R.I. and prepare to host Coast Guard on Wednesday, Mar. 20 at 3:00 pm at Paolino Field for a double header. The Hawks will then host Mitchell on Saturday, Mar. 23 at 12:00 pm.
