Freshman Paige Circosta executes an outstanding hook slide to avoid a tag attempt by the Webster University catcher during sixth inning action. Circosta scored on a nearly identical slide in the first inning. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
CLERMONT, Fla. – The Westfield State University softball team split its two games on Tuesday morning, March 11. The Owls posted a 10-2 victory over Webster University of St. Louis, Missouri, then suffered a 5-1 setback to WPI.
In the opener, the Owls erupted for six runs in the top of the first inning. The big blows were a two-run double by Kat Robinson and a two-run triple by Molly Dunbar. Westfield also scored two runs on wild pitches, including the game’s first run.
Freshman leadoff hitter Faith Rheault reached safely on a catcher’s interference. Amanda Flower and Paige Circosta followed with singles to load the bases and the runners moved up a base on a wild pitch.
Cleanup batter/senior second baseman Breanne Bisceglia exited the game on a 2-2 count when she fouled a pitch off her face. Robinson replaced Bisceglia and delivered her two-run double to center field after fouling off several pitches.
Webster scored single runs in the first and second innings, then Westfield got a run back on an RBI double by Rheault to make the score 7-2 in the third inning. Westfield scored twice in the sixth and a run in the seventh to cap the scoring.
Westfield rapped seven hits with no player collecting multiple hits. Senior Kelley Fluet recorded the pitching victory. She allowed four hits, one earned run and two walks and struck out three.
Westfield’s second game was scoreless until WPI plated four runs in the top of the sixth to take a 4-0 lead. The big blows were a two-run homer to straightaway center field by Nicole McDonough and an RBI double by Juliana Fekete.
Both teams scored a run in the seventh inning, with Rheault delivering an RBI groundout of the Owls.
WPI outhit Westfield, 12-8, in the exciting early season game. McDonough was 4 for 4 and Kristin Gallagher was 3 for 4 with a triple.
Westfield freshman Emma Dunbar was 3 for 3 and sophomore Emile Manna was 2 for 3 with a double. Also doubling were Circosta and Molly Dunbar.
Clare Doolin went the distance for the pitching victory. She struck out four and issued no walks.
Emily Mailloux was the losing pitcher. Mailloux replaced starting hurler Julia Sullivan at the start of the fourth inning. Sullivan came back to finish the game after McDonough’s homer.
WPI boosted its record to 4-2 while Westfield is 3-2. The Owls have a day off on Wednesday.
