Softball Torches Salem State in Non-Conference Play

BOSTON, Mass. – A total team effort on offense, led by a team-high seven RBI from sophomore Kyla Igawa (Long Beach, Calif.), led the Wentworth Institute of Technology softball team (17-13) to dominant wins over Salem State (9-17) by 8-0 and 11-3 scores in non-league action Wednesday afternoon.

GAME ONE: WENTWORTH 8, SALEM ST 0 (FINAL – 6 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Leopards broke a scoreless tie in the opening frame as a single by sophomore Kyla Igawa (Long Beach, Calif.) drove home a run by graduate student Kaitlin Pettenger (Budd Lake, N.J.) on the second at-bat.
• Wenworth opened the game wide open in the fifth inning as an error initially drove home Pettenger to extend the lead to 2-0. The next two batters reached on a fielder's choice and an error, respectively, with the bases still loaded to bring home two more scores and push the game to 4-0. A single by sophomore Julie Schriver (Moscow, Pa.) brought home another run before another single by Pettenger plated two more, stretching the hosts' lead to 7-0.
• The Black & Gold capped the final score at 8-0 in the sixth frame as a double by junior Katie Kranz (Bedford, Mass.) drove home a score. Schriver dominated defensively, striking out 11 batters and only giving up two hits. On offense, Pettenger led the way with three hits and 2 RBI while Schriver and Igawa both bashed a pair and added one RBI apiece.

GAME TWO: WENTWORTH 11, SALEM ST 3 (FINAL – 5 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The hosts popped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, beginning with a single by Igawa driving home Pettenger. A single by senior Annabelle Hebard (North Attleboro, Mass.) brought home Igawa before two errors later in the inning doubled the lead.
• A sacrifice fly from Igawa in the second inning led to another run for Pettenger, pushing the lead to 5-0. However, the Vikings cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fourth frame, scoring on a wild pitch before junior Emily Henning (Grafton, Mass.) later hit a two-run homer.
• The Leopards regained their comfortable lead in the fourth inning as a double by Igawa drove home Pettenger, extending the lead to 6-3 before another single by Hebard drove home Igawa. A triple by Kranz later in the inning plated another run, extending the advantage to 8-3.
• With two runners on base, Igawa blasted a three-run home run over the fence in the fifth inning to complete the nightcap in an 11-3 final. Junior Jess Rowe (Yardley, Pa.) earned the win in the circle, striking out three batters while surrendering no hits across three frames. Offensively, Igawa and Pettenger led the way with three hits aside, with the former also tabbing a career-high six RBI.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards travel to Suffolk on Saturday for a conference showdown.

For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on "X," Facebook and Instagram.