Boston, Mass. – March 30, 2024 – The Springfield College softball team opened New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play with a sweep of Emerson College this afternoon on Rotch Field. Springfield won game one, 1-0, before the Pride completed the sweep with a 10-1 victory in game two.

Springfield improved to 13-2-1 overall and to 2-0 in NEWMAC play, while Emerson dropped to 7-7, 0-2 NEWMAC. The Pride will step out of conference action with a doubleheader at Western New England University on Tuesday, April 2 at 3:00 pm. 

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Game One: Springfield 1, Emerson 0

The first game of today's twinbill was a pitcher's duel between Amelia DeRosa (Miller Place, N.Y.) and Caleigh Sheehan as they both allowed just three hits a piece and combined for 11 strikeouts. There were only a combined four hits until Springfield broke the 0-0 stalemate in the top of the sixth.

With one out in the frame, Alli Olsen (Ridgewood, N.J.) singled up the middle and moved to second on an error. DeRosa helped her own caused and drilled a single up the middle to plate Olsen for the 1-0 edge. DeRosa returned to the circle and retired the side in order in both the bottom of the sixth and the bottom of the seventh to secure her sixth win of the campaign and the NEWMAC opening win for the Pride.

Game Two: Springfield 10, Emerson 1

After allowing a run in the bottom of the first inning to the Lions, Springfield starter Ashley Pugliese (Long Island, N.Y.) was dominant the rest of the way as she surrendered just one hit and struck out six to improve to 5-0 this spring.

Springfield's offense came alive in the nightcap as the Pride produced ten runs and 13 hits powered by a 3-for-4 effort from Carissa Pecchia (Mamaroneck, N.Y.). In addition, Breannah McCann (Poway, Calif.) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs, while Olsen went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Eight of the nine starters for the Pride tallied at least one hit in game two.

Springfield was held without a run for the first three frames before the Pride exploded for a five spot in the fourth. Emily Whelan (Hopkinton, Mass.) came around for Springfield's first run on an error after reaching on an infield single. Olsen then drilled an RBI knock to center, Callie Gendron (Berlin, Conn.) plated two with a pinch-hit single to left and Pecchia capped the scoring with a single to left.

Pugliese set Emerson down in order in the sixth and then Springfield came back to bat in the seventh and put together five additional runs. With the bases loaded and one out, McCann brought in Lindsay Donston (South Windsor, Conn.) and Michaela Ponticello (Gloversville, N.Y.) on a hit to center, Marissa Seyfert (Farmingdale, N.Y.) roped a two-run single to left and Ava Rainone (White Plains, N.Y.) drove in Seyfert on a single up the middle for the 10-1 advantage.

Emerson put one runner on in the bottom of the seventh, but Pugliese got Jessica Gomez to ground into a double play and Grace Beaulieu to strike out swinging to complete the sweep.