Softball Splits Doubleheader with ECSU as Rhodes Tosses One-Hitter
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 29, 2006 - In a battle of one-hitters, the Springfield College Pride defeated visiting Eastern Connecticut State University, 1-0, in the second game of a softball doubleheader, thus salvaging a split this afternoon at SC’s Potter Field. In game #1, ECSU defeated Springfield, 2-1.
Springfield is now 7-9 on the season, while Eastern Connecticut is 4-10.
In game #1, the Pride had taken a 1-0 lead over the visitors in the bottom of the fourth inning. Freshman leftfielder Kasey Calderone (Pipersville, Pa.) knocked in the run with a single to center.
But ECSU scored twice in the top of the sixth. Junior third baseman Karen Taber (Deep River, Conn.) led off with a single to left. She would eventually score on a wild pitch to tie it. On the next pitch, sophomore catcher Krystle Denny (West Haven, Conn.) knocked one by the third baseman for an error, scoring freshman first baseman Rachel Denny (East Haddam, Conn.) with what proved to be the winning run.
Senior pitcher Lindsay Savelle (Cheshire, Conn.) went the distance, giving up five hits and one unearned run. She walked three and struck out four. In the bottom of the seventh, SC had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. But Savelle got the last two outs on a clutch strikeout and a ground out to third to seal the victory. Savelle is now 3-4 on the season.
For SC, the hard-luck loser was sophomore Stephanie Blackman (Stamford, Conn.), who allowed just four hits and 2 runs (1 was unearned). She struck out 6 and walked no one. She too is now 3-4. Calderone went 2-for-3 for the Pride.
In game #2, it was a pitcher’s dual between Eastern senior Brooke Nici (Clinton, Mass.) and SC freshman Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.). Each went the distance and allowed just one hit. Each team played errorless ball.
Rhodes struck out 4 and walked 1. Nici struck out 3 and walked 2.
The difference came in the 1st inning when Springfield scored without the benefit of a hit. Sophomore second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, Mass.) led off with a walk. She promptly stole second, her 13th stolen base in 14 attempts this season. Senior shortstop Caitlin McGaughey (South Windsor, Conn.) sacrificed Fumicello to third. Senior DH Amanda Johansson (Leominster, Mass.) then hit an innocent ground ball out to short, plating what proved to be the only run of the game.
SC’s only hit was a double to left by Fumicello in the third inning. Eastern’s only hit was a single up the middle by junior second baseman Samantha Morrow (Tolland, Conn.) in the 5th inning.
Springfield will get back into conference-playing mode when it travels to play at NEWMAC-foe Coast Guard in a doubleheader Friday (March 31) at 2:30 pm. The Pride will then host Wheaton Saturday (April 1) for two more at 12 noon. Then on Sunday (April 2), SC will host Keene State in a twinbill at home at 1 pm.
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Head Coach Julie Perrelli
Julie Perrelli was been named an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Head Softball Coach at Springfield College in June of 2009. The head softball coach at Smith for the past three years, Perrelli received both her doctorate (this past May) and her masters in 2004 from Springfield College, where she served as a graduate assistant for the Pride from the 2003 through 2006 seasons. Read more.