Erika Gouin slides under the tag of Jasmyn Ogletree to score the first run of the season for Westfield State on Sunday in Clermont, Fla. (Photo courtesy of Westfield State University Sports)
CLERMONT, FLA. – Westfield State dropped a pair of softball games to open the 2016 season at the National Training Center on Sunday.
Westfield fell in the opener to Stevenson (Md.) University, 14-4, then lost to William Paterson, 4-3 in the second game of the split doubleheader.
Westfield got on the board first in the opener when Erika Gouin doubled to open the second inning, advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch.
Westfield added two more in the third, as Emily Manna walked, Maddy Atkocaitis singled, with Manna scoring on an error as the ball got past the Stevenson outfielder. Westfield State starter Julia Sullivan (0-1) followed with an RBI single to plate Atkocaitis.
The Mustangs grabbed the lead, 4-3 with four runs in the top of the fourth, two scoring on a double by pitcher Jasmyn Ogletree.
The wheels disengaged for the Owls in the top of the fifth as Stevenson struck for 10 runs, the big blows being a 2-run homer for Ogletree and a grand slam from Kristen Mueller.
In the nightcap, Westfield State took 2-1 lead in the fourth on RBI singles from Sullivan and Atkocaitis. The Pioneers tied the game in the bottom half of the inning. Westfield took a 3-2 lead with another RBI base hit from Sullivan.
William Paterson snatched victory away from the Owls in the bottom of the seventh, as Kaitlyn Poretti tripled home a pair of runs to secure the win.
Westfield State is back in action on Monday with a pair of game against North Park and Calvin. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
