Seahawks give thanks for split with Pilgrims

NEWPORT, R.I. - Freshman Marissa Simpson (Brimfield, Mass.) pitched a 3-hit shutout to lift Salve Regina University softball to a split of its The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) doubleheader with visiting New England College. Salve Regina (3-9; 1-1 TCCC) won the nightcap, 10-0 in five innings, after New England College (2-8; 1-1 TCCC) took the opener, 7-1.

Simpson's pitching partner, sophomore Jen Cruver (North Haven, Conn.) had pitched shutout ball over her first four innings of Game One before the Pilgrims reached her for four runs in the top of the 5th. Freshman catcher Jessica Kiehl (North Haven, Conn.) led off the frame against her former high school teammate with a double to left center.

LiAnn Linck (New Fairfield, Conn.) came to the plate with the bases loaded and delivered the first two runs of the game with a double to left center. Pilgrim starting pitcher Gabrielle Timms (Clark Summit, Pa.) helped her own cause with a two-run single up the middle.

Pinch-hitter Bethany Snow (Thomaston, Maine) led off the Seahawk 5th with a single to center. After getting sacrificed to second, Snow moved to third on a single to center by senior captain Christina Walsh (Putnam Valley, N.Y.). Walsh stole second which allowed Snow to swipe home plate with the first Salve Regina run.

Timms held the Seahawks to just five hits in the 7-1 Pilgrim victory while improving her record to 2-2.

Salve Regina scored multiple runs in each of its four innings at the plate in Game Two. Kristen Parolise (Hamden, Conn.) had a two-out, two-run single in the 1st inning.

The Seahawks loaded the bases in the 2nd inning with none out on successive singles by Zeena Barbarita (Johnston, R.I.), Jennifer Edine (Warwick, R.I.), and Deanna Ciccarelli (Paramus, N.J.). Shortstop Ali Muehlbronner (Glenside, Pa.) delivered a run with a line out to left field. Walsh plated the next run with a sacrifice grounder to third.

Simpson doubled to left field for the third run of the 2nd inning while Jillian Quintana (Denver, Colo.) followed with an RBI single to center field.

Walsh's single in the 3rd inning did not leave the infield but brought home two runs for the Seahawks. Edine and Cruver contributed RBI singles in the 4th inning.

Simpson wasted a lead off single for the Pilgrims in the 5th and got the next three batters including the final out on a grounder to Muehlbronner to end the game.

Salve Regina hosts Regis College on Sunday at Toppa Field (2 p.m.) while New England College has its first home date on Wednesday against Anna Maria College.

New England Col. 7, Salve Regina 1 (03/26/11 at Newport, R.I.) (Game 1)
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New England Col..... 000 040 3 -  7  8  3      (2-7, 1-0)
Salve Regina........ 000 010 0 -  1  5  3      (2-9, 0-1)
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Pitchers: New England Col. - Gabrielle Timms and Jessica Kiehl. Salve Regina - Jen Cruver and
Jillian Quintana.
Win-Gabrielle Timms(2-2)  Loss-Jen Cruver(1-7)  T-1:45  A-0
Weather: 32 degrees
Game: SB0326_1

Salve Regina 10, New England Col. 0 (03/26/11 at Newport, R.I.) (Game 2)
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New England Col..... 000 00 -  0  3  0      (2-8, 1-1)
Salve Regina........ 242 2X - 10 15  1      (3-9, 1-1)
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Pitchers: New England Col. - Meghan Beausoleil; Bethany Forshaw(4) and Kristen Conners.
Salve Regina - Marissa Simpson and Jillian Quintana.
Win-Marissa Simpson(2-2)  Loss-Meghan Beausoleil(0-3)  T-1:25  A-88
Weather: 32 degrees
Game: SB0326_2