Softball Splits with Engineers, Medina with Game Winning HR

Norton, MA --- Junior Kelsey Saucier (Worcester, MA) struck out nine in a one-hitter and sophomore Maddie Medina (Pelham, NH) launched the game-winning home run in game two as WPI and Fitchburg State each won a game in a non-conference softball doubleheader that was played Wednesday at Wheaton. The Engineers took the opener 8-0 in six and the Falcons claimed the second game 3-2.

Junior Nina Murphy-Cook (Roseville, CA) reached on a Falcon miscue, stole second and scored on a triple by classmate Ama Biney (Worcester, MA), who scampered home on a passed ball for the 2-0 advantage after one inning the first game. WPI accumulated four more in the third, highlighted by a two-run blast by junior RiAnna May (Westminster, CO). Freshman Cassie Graca (Somerset, MA) and senior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) sandwiched the round-tripper with RBI singles. The sixth inning saw Biney drive in junior Katie Chagami (Waipahu, HI) before the game came to a halt courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Graca.

Biney (2-for-4, triple), Graca (2-for-3, sac fly, stolen base) and May (HR) all had two hits, two RBI and a run scored. Murphy-Cook swiped two bases while Gurska added one. Defensively, four of the six innings were of the 1-2-3 variety for Saucier and the Engineers. The local product also struck out five of the first six Fitchburg State hitters of the game.

Junior Katie Gildea (Bedford, MA) notched the hit and one of the two walks issued to the Falcons. Medina accounted for the other. Sophomore Nicole Sylvester (Everett, MA) chipped in with a sacrifice bunt and classmate Kaylee Sylvestre (Central Falls. RI) struck out six and walked one for Fitchburg State.

The second game saw May and sophomore Renee LeClaire (Merrimack, NH) log back-to-back RBI in the third. May singled to center and LeClaire connected on a productive ground out. Freshman Mikayla Harnois (Attleboro, MA) swiped home on a double steal and Medina followed with the two-run blast in the top of the fifth for the 3-2 Falcon lead. Fitchburg State then recorded a pair of 1-2-3 innings on defense. Gurksa reached on a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, but the final two outs were recorded in the form of ground outs to first.

Graca and sophomore Kylie Juarez (Elk Grove, CA) each logged a sacrifice to go with stolen bases by Biney, May and freshman Leila Camplese (Tewksbury, MA). Freshman Mackenzie Phillips (Gill, MA) established a new collegiate best of 10 strikeouts in her second-career complete game.

For the Falcons, Medina hit a home run and senior Galen Kerr (Concord, MA), who struck out five in the complete game win, provided a sacrifice hit. Harnois and rookie McKenzie Lambert (East Longmeadow, MA) each swiped a base.

The Engineers (11-9) are scheduled to host a pair of NEWMAC doubleheaders this weekend. Clark is slated to make the trip down Park Ave. for a 4pm start on Friday and Emerson comes to town Saturday for a noon pair. Fitchburg State (4-10) looks to visit Mass. Maritime for a MASCAC twinbill Saturday at noon.

Release courtesy WPI Sports Information