

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 8, 2006 – The Pride of Springfield College defeated the Blue of Wellesley College by a score of 2-1 in game two, but SC could not hold off Wellesley in game one, falling by a score of 3-2, in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader at Potter Field on the campus of Springfield College.
In game two, Springfield took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on first and second, senior Jennifer Warnick (Millis, Mass.) lined a double down the left field line to score freshman center fielder Angela Atkins (East Haddam, Conn.). Atkins reached on a walk at the start of the inning. Sophomore second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, Mass.) then singled up the middle to score what would turn into the game-winning run.
Wellesley College’s lone run came in the fifth inning off a home run over the left field fence by freshman first baseman Barbarajean Grundlock. Grundlock had a successful day, batting 1-for-2 in the second game after earning the win as the pitcher in the first game.
SC freshman pitcher Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.) was able to induce 14 ground ball outs during the contest. Her record improves to 4-2. For Wellesley, sophomore pitcher Jenna Harvey struck out nine batters in the loss. Her record drops to 3-5 for the year.
The first game at Potter Field saw the Pride fall to Wellesley, 3-2. SC was able to capitalize on some early control problems by Wellesley’s Grundlock, who walked 2 batters in the first. Fumicello walked and was immediately bunted over to second. Fumicello then stole third and was driven home by senior Sarah Bagierek (Douglas, Mich.) on a two-RBI single. Senior Caitlin McGaughey (South Windsor, Conn.) also scored on the play.
Grundlock was able to help her own cause with an RBI double down the left field line in the second inning, scoring senior right fielder Allison Kramer. In the fourth inning, Kramer doubled home sophomore Meghan Sullivan, who had reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second base.
The scoring continued for Wellesley in the fifth as catcher Kara Wong reached on a double, and was driven home on a single by designated hitter Jenna Harvey. Wong’s run would prove to be the game winner as SC failed to score in the last two innings.
Pride sophomore Stephanie Blackman (Stamford, Conn.) gave up nine hits and struck out two batters in the loss. Her record falls to 6-6 on the season. The win goes to Grundlock as she struck out six and walked five batters. Her record now stands at 1-0 on the year.
With the split, SC now has a record of 12-13 overall and 5-3 in the NEWMAC while Wellesley is now 11-8 overall and 3-5 in the NEWMAC. The Pride will host Smith College tomorrow, April 9, in a conference doubleheader starting at 1:00 p.m.
Kathy Mangano, who will be entering her 20th season coaching at her alma mater in 2009, is one of the top coaches in New England. The four-time conference Coach of the Year has won more games than any coach in the program’s history (458), and ranks among the national leaders in victories among active Division III coaches.
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