Auburndale, Fla. – March 12, 2024 – The Springfield College softball team opened day three in Florida with an 8-2 win over Lasell University at Hancock Park.

Springfield moved to 5-1 on the season and will have a scheduled day off on Wednesday. The Pride will return to the field on Thursday with games against Mount Saint Mary's (NY) and Montclair State beginning at 11:30 am.

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Springfield 8, Lasell 2

In her first start in the circle this spring, Ashley Pugliese (Long Island, N.Y.) tossed a complete game, scattered five hits, struck out four and allowed a pair of unearned runs. Amelia DeRosa (Miller Place, N.Y.) reached base safely three times, drove in one and scored a run, Michaela Ponticello (Gloversville, N.Y.) registered two hits, two runs and an RBI and Breannah McCann (Poway, Calif.) posted two RBI, two runs and a walk.

Lasell produced the first run of the game in the top of the first as an RBI ground out by Mackenzie Still gave the Lasers a 1-0 edge.

Springfield quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the frame as three straight singles capped on an RBI knock from Carissa Pecchia (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) evened the game before a ground out from Ponticello gave the Pride a 2-1 advantage. Springfield added a run in the second on an error before the Pride blew the game open with a four spot in the third. A two-run single by McCann, a bases loaded walk and a fielder's choice pushed Springfield's lead to 7-1.

Pugliese shutdown Lasell in the fourth and the fifth and in the bottom of the fourth and RBI single by Alli Olsen (Ridgewood, N.J.) that plated Ponticello accounted for Springfield's eighth run of the game. The Lasers got one back in the top of the seventh and had the bases loaded, but a base running mistake paired with two ground outs gave Springfield its fifth consecutive victory.

Hope 6, Springfield 5

Both teams scored single runs in the first inning – Springfield got its run on an RBI double Ponticello, while Hope got its run on an RBI knock by Kate DeMann.

Hope struck for single runs in the third and fourth on sacrifice flies, before a bases loaded wild pitch and an error for Springfield plated three runs for Hope in the bottom of the fifth.

Trailing 6-1 in the top of the sixth, Springfield rallied with a four spot which began with three straight singles by Marissa Seyfert (Farmingdale, N.Y.), Emily Whelan (Hopkinton, Mass.) and McCann. Lucy Puskas (Roxbury, Conn.) came off the bench and drilled a two-run single to left before an error by Hope plated two addition runs for the Pride.

Hope starter Samantha Vermeesch returned to the game and despite allowing a hit – got out of the jam with Hope ahead 6-5 after six. Emily Gell (Trumbull, Conn.) retired Hope in order in the bottom of the sixth to give Springfield a chance to tie or take the lead in the seventh, but Hailey Mellec recorded the save for Hope and the 6-5 win.