Norton, Mass-April 28, 2015- The Springfield College softball program dropped the opening game of the 2015 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championship tournament, falling to Wellesley College 14-2 in five innings.

The Pride now stands at 18-20 overall, 11-7 in conference play, and will fight to stay alive in the NEWMAC Tournament on Saturday May 2nd against MIT at 10:00am. 

Wellesley 14, Springfield 2 (5 inn.) 

After a scoreless first frame, Wellesley scored in four consecutive innings as it powered its was to a 14-2 victory, in five innings, over Springfield. 

The Blue capitalized on three Springfield errors in the top of the second inning to jump out to an early lead. Abby Casey (Milford, Conn.) and Maria LaBouyer (Yuba City, Calif.), junior Jacyln Tsang (Manalapan, N.J.) and sophomore Kendra Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) each picked up runs batted in, while a pair of runs scored on errors, as the Blue batted around to take a 6-0 advantage. 

Springfield looked to retaliate in the bottom of the second when junior Melissa Nelson (Milford, Conn.) singled with two-on and two-out to drive home Alicia Pavadore (Taunton, Mass.).

The Blue loaded the bases to open the top of the third inning, as Anna Pisac (Snohomish, Wa.) singled to left before senior Mariah Philips (Palo Alto, Calif.) doubled and Casey walked. First year Amanda Manning (Durham, Calif.) then picked up a fielder's choice RBI before sophomore Ashtyn Coleman (Scottsdale, Ariz.) smacked a double down the left field line to drive in a pair of runs and extend the Wellesley advantage to 9-1.  

Pisac went on to add a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning and a two-RBI triple in the top of the fifth, as the Wellesley sophomore finished game one a perfect 3-for-3 while driving in a game-high three RBIs.

The only other Springfield run would come on a solo home run from junior Elizabeth Joseph (Stamford, Conn.) in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Wellesley starter Madeline Bianchi (Lakeville, Minn.) improved to 12-7 on the season, allowing six hits over five innings, while matching her season-high with nine strikeouts.

Talia Loda (East Haven, Conn.) suffered the loss with a 1.1 inning performance, allowing six runs on four hits.  Jordyn Moquin (Southington, Conn.) came in for two batters and Camdyn Morgillo (West Haven, Conn.) closed out the rotation with a three inning outing.

The Pride collected six hits on the day, Nelson and Joseph plated a runner a piece.  Kirsten Drobiak (Jewett City, Conn.), Morgillo and Pavadore also had hits for Springfield.