PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Roger Williams University and Rhode Island College each claimed a win in a non-conference softball doubleheader Thursday afternoon at the Dayna A. Bazar Sports Complex, with the Hawks bouncing back in Game 2 for a 9-4 victory after falling 8-0 in the opener.
In Game 1, Rhode Island College (18-19-1, 3-10-1 LEC) rode a dominant pitching performance from Abby Kidd, who tossed a complete game shutout, limiting Roger Williams to just three hits over five innings while striking out three, moving to 9-8 on the year. The Anchorwomen's offense exploded for eight runs on 10 hits, including a five-run fourth inning that broke the game open. Noelle Simmons led the way with a 3-for-4 effort, tallying three RBIs and two triples. Sarah Mickelson and Victoria Young added multi-hit games, with Young notching a triple and an RBI.
Roger Williams' starter Skye Merrow (0-1) took the loss, allowing six runs, four earned, on seven hits over 3.1 innings. Sophia Bruno surrendered two more runs in relief as the Hawks' defense committed a pair of errors.
The Hawks regrouped in the nightcap, erupting for nine runs on 11 hits in a 9-4 win. Christina Denovellis powered the offense, going 2-for-5 with a grand slam in the sixth inning to break a 4-4 tie. Ava Fairbanks, who started in the circle, also contributed at the plate with a two-run double and pitched a complete game to earn the win, moving to 3-2 on the year, allowing four earned runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.
Vianna Chamberlin chipped in with two runs scored and an RBI, while Caroline Thomas added a pair of hits and a double. Denovellis' blast capped a five-run sixth inning that proved decisive. Rhode Island College briefly tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run double by Sydney Duclos before Roger Williams pulled away.
Roger Williams (21-16, 11-7 CNE) will face UMass Dartmouth on Friday, May 2 in their regular season finale at 4:00 pm before turning their attention to the Conference of New England (CNE) Tournament beginning on Tuesday, May 6.
