Gorecki’s walk-off homer lifts Wildcats past Seahawks, 6-4

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Given the potency of the Johnson & Wales University softball team's offense, the Wildcats are almost never out of the game. Senior Emily Gorecki blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the Wildcats to a 6-4 win over Salve Regina University on Wednesday.

Record:
Salve Regina: 0-1
Johnson & Wales: 5-3

Statistical Leaders:
Meghan Gavin (JWU): 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI
Brenna DuPerry (JWU): 2-3, 2 R
Emily Woznick (SRU): 3-4, 1 R, 1 RBI

Notable:
With the Wildcats trailing 4-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, shortstop Brenna DuPerry (Cranston, R.I.) led off the inning with her second hit of the game, roping a double to right field. One out later, third baseman Meghan Gavin (Wallingford, Conn.) collected her second RBI as she drove in DuPerry with a double of her own.

A groundout moved Gavin to third then second baseman Ally Mishol (Longmeadow, Mass.) drew a walk. That brought Gorecki (Bremerton, Wash.) to the plate and her three-run bomb to left field completed the comeback. It's her first walk-off home run since hitting a three-run homer in the 7-5 win over St. Joseph's on April 1, 2015.

The Seahawks scored four runs in the second inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Emily Woznick led off the frame with a solo home run then Salve Regina banged out four more hits off JWU starter Jennifer Corona (Middle Island, NY). Woznick led all players with three hits.

Noelle Weiss (Hartland, Wisc.) came on in the fifth to relieve Corona and she pitched two scoreless innings to get her first win of the season. SRU's Kelsey Boarman threw a complete game, but was saddled with the loss.