BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Roger Williams University Softball team took a 9-2 non-conference victory over Bridgewater State University on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Park.
Roger Williams set the tone early and pulled away late, using steady offensive production and a strong performance in the circle as Natalie Lundari (Flemington, N.J.) earned the win in relief with two scoreless innings. Raegen Germano (Old Tappan, N.J.) started the game, striking out three over two shutout innings, while Keira Quadros (East Providence, R.I.) and Sophia Bruno (Sandwich, Mass.) combined to finish the game.
Pitching for the Bears, Lily Gagnon took the loss, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing 10 hits and eight runs (six earned).
The Hawks opened the scoring in the first inning as Madison Moran (Attleboro, Mass.) lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Hailey Williams (Vernon, Conn.) for a 1-0 lead. Roger Williams added another run in the second when Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.) drove in McKenzie Foley (Hanover, Mass.) with an RBI groundout to make it 2-0.
After several scoreless innings, the Hawks extended their lead in the fifth as Williams delivered an RBI single to score Grace Forsythe (Woburn, Mass.). An inning later, O'Connor came through again with an RBI double, pushing the advantage to 4-0.
Bridgewater State broke through with a run in the bottom of the sixth, but Roger Williams responded with a decisive rally in the seventh. The Hawks plated five runs in the final frame, highlighted by an RBI double from Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) and a two-run double by Moran. O'Connor added an RBI triple, while an additional run scored on a passed ball as Roger Williams stretched its lead to 9-1.
Bridgewater State added a run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Hawks closed out the 9-2 victory.
Roger Williams totaled 11 hits in the win, led by Williams, who went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. O'Connor drove in three runs on two hits, while Moran recorded three RBI. Starratt added two hits and an RBI.
Roger Williams (22-13, 11-7 CNE) will close out the regular season on Saturday, May 2 at Gordon.
