BIDDEFORD, Maine – Senior Sydney Helmbrecht (Grand Rapids, Minn.) had five hits to help power the University of New England softball team to a Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader sweep over Wentworth Institute of Technology. The Nor'Easters took the first game – which the completion of a suspended game from April 12 – 9-4 before taking the nightcap 8-3.
Game One: University of New England 9, Wentworth 4
UNE took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single from freshman Lauren Gerhard (Merrimack, NH.) before the Leopards evened the score at 1-all in the top of the second. Senior Kelsey Gorski (Killingworth, Conn.) led off with a double, however was erased on a double play. Sophomore Emily Winter followed with a walk and came home to score on a triple from freshman Haley Hohlmaier (Johnston, R.I.). In between the top and bottom of the first innings, inclement weather halted the game.
When the game resumed, Wentworth took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning. Junior Vanessa Weymouth (Fremont, N.H.) struck out but reached first on a passed ball. She would score when classmate Rachel Willcutt (Tilton, N.H.) delivered an RBI single down the right field line. Willcutt came into score after junior Megan Berryman (Middleboro, Mass.) singled and there was an error on the play.
The Nor'Easters scored four times in the home half of the inning to take 5-3 lead. Two runners scored when Gerhard reached on an error, junior Samantha Dreissig (Linden, N.J.) had a sacrifice fly, and freshman Kelsey Mansfield (Brookline, N.H.) delivered an RBI single.
Wentworth cut the lead to 5-4 in the top of the fourth as Holhmaier drew a one-out walk and went to second on a wild pitch. She came in to score when classmate Rebecca Wehrle (South Amboy, N.J.) reached on a two-base error. However, that could be as close as the Black & Gold would come as the hosts scored two times in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead.
Freshman Melissa Jakubowski (Danbury, Conn.) picked up the win as she allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits. Helmbrecht and sophomore Caroline Schoenbucher (Barrington, N.H.) had two hits apiece for the Nor'Easters.
Sophomore Hayley Rutkey (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) was tabbed with the loss, allowing three earned runs in five innings. Willcutt had a pair of hits to pace the offense.
Game Two: University of New England 8, Wentworth 3
The Nor'Easters grabbed a pair of runs in the first inning as Gerhard delivered an RBI single and freshman Gabby Harrison (Kennebunk, Maine) reached on an error which allowed Schoenbucher to score. UNE added to its lead in the second inning on an infield single from Helmbrecht.
Wentworth got on the board in the top of the third as Rutkey led off being hit by a pitch and moved to third on consecutive sacrifice bunts. Weymouth laced a single to left to bring her in.
UNE increased its lead to 7-1 with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, which included a two-run single from Gerhard, an RBI single from Schoenbucher and a ground out by Harrison.
The Leopards cut into the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth as Wehrle hit a two-run single which plated Weymouth and Hohlmaier. The bottom of the inning saw the Nor'Easters round out the scoring as sophomore Sydney Bessler (Everett, Mass.) had an RBI groundout.
Freshman Bailey Tremblay (Saco, Maine) picked up the win as she allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in five innings. Helmbrecht and sophomore Avery Alberghini (Middlesex, Vt.) had three hits apiece to pace the offense.
Sophomore Erica Norquist (Rutland, Mass.) was tagged with the loss while five different players had hits, including Wehrle who drove in two runs.
Wentworth (2-21, 1-13) is at Bay Path on Friday.
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