BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Softball team dropped their Conference of New England (CNE) doubleheader to Endicott on Tuesday on Paolino Field. The Gulls took game one 5-3, before taking game two 6-4.
Game One: Endicott 5, RWU 3
Endicott struck first in the top of the third inning as Mia Mitchell launched a two-run home run to left center, giving the Gulls a 2-0 lead. The Gulls added to their advantage in the sixth inning with a solo home run from Abby McClaflin, extending the lead to 3-0.
Roger Williams got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning as Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.) connected on a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Endicott responded in the top of the seventh inning. Mitchell delivered again with a two-RBI double, pushing the lead to 5-1.
The Hawks attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, as Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.) and Lucy Maurao (Holliston, Mass.) both scored on a two-RBI single by Williams. The Hawks rally would fall short as Endicott held on for the 5-3 victory.
Roger Williams recorded five hits in the contest. Williams led the way with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) added a double, while Grace Forsythe (Woburn, Mass.) and Maurao each recorded a hit.
On the mound for the Hawks, Raegen Germano (Old Tappan, N.J.) took the loss, pitching 5.0 innings while allowing three runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Natalie Lundari (Flemington, N.J.) provided 2.0 innings of relief, giving up two runs on two hits.
For Endicott, Kristen Beebe earned the win, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing three runs on three hits with eight strikeouts. Analise Grady recorded the save, tossing the final 0.2 innings.
Endicott totaled seven hits in the game. Mitchell led the way with two hits and four RBIs, while McClaflin added a home run.
Game Two: Endicott 6, RWU 4
Endicott struck first in the top of the first inning as Mia Mitchell drew a leadoff walk, before Elyse Saccoccio singled. With two Gulls on, Kyla Story delivered a two-RBI single to give the Gulls an early 2-0 lead. The Gulls added to their advantage in the second inning on an RBI single from Abby McClaflin, making it 3-0.
Roger Williams answered in the bottom of the second inning as Madison Tucholski (Massapequa, N.Y.) launched a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Endicott responded in the third inning with a solo home run from Kylyn McLaren to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Hawks rallied in the bottom of the third inning. Maurao and Starratt knocked back-to-back RBI singles to bring Roger Williams within one at 4-3.
Endicott added a run in the fourth inning on an RBI groundout and another in the fifth on an RBI double by Catherine Seay to push the lead to 6-3.
Roger Williams got one back in the sixth inning as Starratt hit a solo home run to left field, but the comeback effort fell short as Endicott secured the 6-4 victory.
Roger Williams recorded six hits in the contest. Starratt led the way with two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs, while Tucholski added a home run and an RBI. Maurao and Madison Moran (Attleboro, Mass.) each recorded a hit, while Maurao also added an RBI.
In the circle for the Hawks, Keira Quadros (East Providence, R.I.) took the loss, pitching 2.0 innings while allowing four runs on six hits. Sophia Bruno (Sandwich, Mass.) provided 2.0 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run, while Lundari tossed the final 3.0 innings, giving up one run.
For Endicott, Emma Sheehan earned the win, pitching 5.0 innings while allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits. Analise Grady recorded the save, throwing 2.0 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Endicott totaled 10 hits in the game. McLaren led the way with three hits and a home run, while Story recorded a hit and drove in two runs.
Roger Williams (17-11, 9-5 CNE) will look to bounce back as they head to UMass Dartmouth for a nonconference single game on Wednesday, Apr. 22, before returning to CNE action at UNE on Saturday, Apr. 25.
