Golden Bears sweep pair from Seahawks

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Solid pitching efforts from juniors Meagan Riemann (Dayville, Conn.) and Sarah Lempicki (Southington, Conn.) led Western New England to a 5-1, 4-2 doubleheader sweep of Salve Regina in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) action on Sunday afternoon.

Western New England improves to 9-11 on the year with a 5-3 TCCC record. Salve Regina slips to 8-14 overall with a 6-6 mark in conference.

Game 1 - Western New England 5, Salve Regina 1

Western New England was led offensively by junior right fielder Rachel Wyrwa (Metheun, Mass.) who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore shortstop Jeana Longo (Schenectady, N.Y.) was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, and freshman third baseman Katie Eckert (Lee, Mass.) was also 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Riemann tossed all seven innings in the opener, allowing just two hits over the first six innings of play. Salve Regina picked up a pair of hits in the top of the seventh to plate their lone run of the game. Sophomore outfielder Zeena Barbarita (Johnston, R.I.) collected two hits to lead the Seahawks.

Game 2 - Western New England 4, Salve Regina 2

The Golden Bears scored all four of their runs in the first, as senior catcher Elyse Gauvin (Swansea, Mass.) singled in the only earned run of the inning. Freshman second baseman Maria Francese (Dalton, Mass.) led the way in game two, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Salve Regina cut the lead in half in the top of the fifth, as sophomore centerfielder Jen Cruver (North Haven, Conn.) had an RBI single. She went 2-for-3 on the day.

Lempicki scattered eight hits over seven innings, striking out five to earn the win. Salve Regina freshman pitcher Marissa Simpson (Brimfield, Mass.) took the loss, allowing just one earned run and six hits in six innings of work.

Western New England returns to the field on Tuesday when it hosts Williams at 3:00 p.m. in non-conference play. Salve Regina will host UMass-Dartmouth at 4:00 p.m.

Courtesy of WNEC sports information