Springfield, Mass. – April 9, 2014 – The Springfield College softball team picked up another key conference doubleheader sweep as it defeated Emerson College in a pair of New England WomenÂ's and MenÂ's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) games on a blustery Wednesday afternoon at Potter Field.

Springfield took the first game, 11-2, in five innings, before a late surge in the nightcap propelled them to an 8-2 victory. With todayÂ's results, Springfield is now 12-5-1, 5-2 in league play, while the Lions drop to 12-14, 1-9.

Game One:
Springfield 11, Emerson 2 (5 innings)

Springfield scored the gameÂ's first run in the bottom of the first after Johanna Burke (Oxford, Mass.) drew a bases loaded walk to force in Ally Rivelli (North Kingston, R.I.), who had reached on a fielding error to start the frame.

With two outs and the bases still loaded, Elizabeth Joseph (Stamford, Conn.) crushed a bases clearing double over the left fielderÂ's head. All told, Springfield needed just one hit in the opening inning, benefiting from a pair of Lion errors, to own an early 4-0 cushion.

Katie Gill (Wallingford, Conn.) laid down a beautiful bunt with runners on second and third in the second to score Simone Morin (Plantsville, Conn.), who started things off with a terrific bunt of her own. Springfield added its sixth run of the game thanks to a towering sacrifice fly to centerfield from Tasha Polano (Orange, Mass.), which allowed Rivelli to cross home plate.

The visitors answered back in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs thanks to some timely hitting. After a passed ball put runners on second and third, Bianca Buono (San Diego, Calif.) delivered a single up the middle for the Lions first run. Shannon Torosian (Stoneham, Mass.) followed up with a blistering sacrifice to left field, scoring Britt Rochford (Irvine, Calif.).

After Caitie Holik (South Windsor, Conn.) led off the third by lacing a double down the left field line, Elizabeth Joseph came through with the bat once again, flipping a run-scoring double to left center. The Pride would go on to score a total of five runs in the frame, thanks to three Emerson errors.

Jennifer Joseph (Stamford, Conn.) put together a strong outing in the circle, scattering just four hits, while striking out five and giving up one earned run, to pick up the win. Rivelli scored three times in the victory and both Holik and Elizabeth Joseph delivered two hits.

Rochford had two singles in the opener for the visitors. Alicia Daniele (Mahwah, N.J.) shouldered the loss as she lasted two innings, giving up six runs, although just two earned.

Game Two:
Springfield 8, Emerson 2

In the second inning, Springfield put together a four singles to take a 2-0 advantage. With runners on the corners, Holik smacked a base knock up the middle to score Brielle Engelbrecht (Granby, Mass.) before a line drive single from Brittany Lally (Hudson, Mass.) drove in Holik from second.

Emerson struck back in the top of the third, putting together a two-out rally to even things at two runs apiece. Buono came through in a big spot, hammering a double to right center to score both Rochford and Tatiana Motevalli-Oliner (Randallstown, Md.)

Springfield put the game away in the fifth as it erupted for four runs. Jenna WebbÂ's (Harrison, N.Y.) wind-aided double started the spurt as she drove in Christina Leader (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.). Polana added another sacrifice fly and Holik laced a double off the right field fence to plate a pair of runs.

The Pride scored two more in the sixth to compete the victory. With runners on second and third, a Rivelli ground out plated Lally before a Melissa Nelson (Milford, Conn.) sacrifice bunt scored Leader for the game’s final run.

Webb, Lally, and Holik all had three hits in the second game, with Holik’s three RBI leading the way. Nicole Cring (Cooperstown, N.Y.) picked up the win for Springfield as she hurled five innings of three-hit ball, giving up just two earned runs. Camdyn Morgillo (West Haven, Conn.) tossed the final two innings, allowing just one hit.

For Emerson, Alexandra Magistro (Hackettstown, N.J.) took the loss as she allowed five earned runs on 11 hits.

Springfield will play again on Friday when it hosts Clark in another important league showdown.