Salve Regina splits TCCC doubleheader with AMCats

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina University softball team split their doubleheader with Anna Maria College on Sunday afternoon, winning game one 10-2 in six innings before falling 6-5 in eight innings in game two. With the split, the Seahawks move to 12-14 (10-12 TCCC) while the AMCats depart 'The Ocean State' with a 15-19 mark (8-14 TCCC).

The Seahawks grabbed an early 1-0 lead in game one when sophomore Ali Muehlbronner (Glenside, Pa.) came around to score on a throwing error in the first inning. In the fourth, Salve Regina pushed across five runs to grab a commanding 6-0 lead. Following a pair of bases loaded walks that plated freshmen Marissa Simpson (Brimfield, Mass.) and Sara Nelson (Bristol, Conn.), Muehlbronner singled to center to bring in sophomore Zeena Barbarita (Johnston, R.I.) to make it 4-0. Senior Christina Walsh (Putnam Valley, N.J.) - who was honored between games as the only senior on the 2011 squad - laced a single to left center that brought home Nelson and sophomore Courtney Fleming (Wethersfield, Conn.), pushing the lead to six.

Nelson's RBI single in the fifth gave the Seahawks a 7-0 lead before the AMCats answered with a pair in the top of the sixth to cut their deficit to 7-2. Senior Allyssa Boykin (Worcester, Mass.) dropped a double down the left field line to score senior Jill Hurley (Worcester, Mass.), and two batters later, freshman Kayla Cummings (Auburn, Maine) plated Boykin with a single to center. The Seahawks pushed across three in their half of the sixth to end the game, highlighted by RBI singles by sophomores Jen Cruver (North Haven, Conn.) and Barbarita.

Cruver picked up the win, allowing eight hits and two runs in 6.0 innings of work. She walked one and struck out three. Senior Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, Mass.) took the loss, allowing six hits and 10 runs (seven earned) in 5.1 innings. She struggled with her control all afternoon, as evidence by her nine walks. Cruver finished 2-for-2 with three runs scored and an RBI while both Walsh and Nelson each drove in two. Boykin went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Game two went into extra innings with the score tied at four. With Hackenson on second base and one out in the top of the eighth, junior catcher Mary Moroski (Worcester, Mass.) launched a two-run home run far beyond the left field fence to give the AMCats their first lead of the day, 6-4. The Seahawks got one back in their half of the eighth as Fleming legged out a grounder to shortstop that brought in Cruver, but Nelson tapped one back to the pitcher to end the game.

"Splitting with Anna Maria was important today," said Salve Regina head coach Kerri Scroope. "We needed to make sure we knocked them off once so that we would own the tiebreaker over them. We definitely need to win our next two games against Wentworth to make sure we get into the playoffs."

Salve Regina fell behind 1-0 in the nightcap as senior Jill Hurley (Worcester, Mass.) drove in a run in the top of the first for Anna Maria, but answered with three runs in its half of the frame to take a 3-1 lead. Simpson doubled in the first SRU run, and junior Kristen Parolise (Hamden, Conn.) and Fleming followed with RBI singles. The AMCats tied the game in the fifth on a pair of sacrifice flies by Hurley and Boykin, but Simpson doubled home Walsh in the bottom half of the inning to put SRU back in front, 4-3. Freshman Kayla Cummings (Auburn, Maine) reached base on a throwing error by Muehlbronner to lead off the sixth and came around to score on a fielders choice to even the score at four.

Sophomore Michelle Blackler (Ashland, Mass.) pitched eight innings to earn the win for Anna Maria. She allowed eight hits and five runs, walked one and did not record a strikeout. Simpson started for the Seahawks and was lifted after six innings after allowing seven hits and four runs (three earned). Cruver came on to start the seventh and took the loss; the only hit she allowed was the blast by Moroski.

Simspon finished game two 3-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored while Fleming went 2-for-2 with two RBI. Morowski drove in three runs and scored two of her own while junior Samantha Putis (Charlton, Mass.) and sophomore Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, Mass.) each recorded a pair of hits.

The Seahawks host the Leopards of Wentworth Wednesday at Toppa Field. The doubleheader begins at 4 p.m. The AMCats travel to Curry for a 3:30 pm. doubleheader on Wednesday.