Molly Dunbar executes an excellent slide around RIC catcher Tori Lussier to score the game-winning run. (Photo by Nick Villante)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University and Rhode Island College split a pitcher’s duel doubleheader in non-conference softball on Thursday.
Westfield State (7-20) won the first game, 1-0, led by the two-hit pitching of junior Kelley Fluet. Rhode Island College (15-15) won the second game, 1-0, in eight innings backed by freshman Katelyn McCaughey’s two-hit pitching.
Fluet and McCaughey both had no-hitters into the seventh inning. Fluet gave up a bunt single to Abigail Francis on a bang-bang play at first base with one out in the seventh.
McCaughey then looped a two-out single over the shortstop’s outstretched glove to place runners at first and second, but Fluet ended the game by catching a pop up.
Fluet was fluid throughout most of the game, walking two, including the game’s leadoff batter, and striking out five. RIC stranded seven base runners as Westfield committed three errors.
Westfield scored its winning run in the sixth. Molly Dunbar and Breanne Bisceglia both singled to right field and Kelsey Carpenter beat out a bunt to load the sacks. Celina Sinico drove home the game’s only run on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Westfield collected seven hits off losing pitcher Michelle Sylvestre, who finished with no walks and one strikeout. Dunbar, Bisceglia and Carpenter each had two singles.
Westfield appears to have turned a 5-4-3 double play in the fourth inning but RIC’s Abigail Francis was ruled safe. Francis was retired on an 3-8 putout seconds later, however, as she attempted to advance to second base while the close play at first was being discussed. (Photo by Nick Villante)
In the second game, McCaughey’s no-hit bid was thwarted when Bisceglia’s doubled to right-center field to open the seventh inning. But Bisceglia attempted to stretch the gap shot into a triple and was thrown out by the right fielder.
The Owls continued to rally in the seventh as Carpenter walked and Sinico singled thru the left side. But Westfield was retired on a bunt pop up and a fly out.
With a tiebreaker runner at second base to start the eighth inning, RIC pushed across the only run. Nicole Clemens dropped a sacrifice bunt and pinch hitter Emily Johnson delivered the game-winning blow, an RBI single to right field.
The Owls left their tiebreaker runner stranded at second base in the home half of the eighth. After Caitlyn Kadlik struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch, Kat Robinson drew a walk. Jessica Borden retired the next two batters on groundouts to earn the pitching save.
McCaughey walked four and fanned six in seven and a third innings. Westfield pitcher Emily Mailloux surrendered four hits and no walks and struck out three.
