PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The visiting Bridgewater State University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Rhode Island College on Thursday at the Dayna A.Bazar Softball Complex.
The Bears (12-8) notched a 3-1 win in the opener, while the host Anchorwomen (8-10) withstood a BSU rally in game two to post an 8-7 win in eight innings.
The visiting Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first game behind an RBI single from freshman first baseman Kelly McCarthy (Burlington, MA) and an RBI double from freshman right fielder Samantha LoPilato (Medford, MA) in the top of the second inning. BSU tacked on another run to make it, 3-0, in the fourth when senior catcher Jill Welch (Hubbardston, MA) doubled to open the frame and was immediately driven home on an RBI double from McCarthy.
After being held off the scoreboard for six straight innings, the Anchorwomen scratched a run in the bottom of the seventh after senior center fielder Stacy Pokora (Wilton, CT) came around to score on an error. However, that would prove to be the only offense the hosts would muster in the two-run loss.
BSU senior right-hander Amber White (Middleboro, MA) was phenomenal in the circle for the visitors, allowing just one unearned run on seven hits and two walks, while striking out five in the complete-game victory.
Sophomore right-hander Katelyn McCaughey (Warwick, RI) was solid through four innings for Rhode Island College, but was tagged with the loss (0-2). McCaughey struck out four, but conceded three runs on seven hits and one walk.
Meanwhile, senior right-hander Michelle Sylvestre (Warwick, RI) hurled three scoreless innings in relief of McCaughey, scattering just two hits along the way.
Once again, it was the Bears who struck first in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, as junior shortstop Jocelyn Bettencourt (Plymouth, MA) crossed home plate on a wild pitch in the top of the first to make it, 1-0.
The Anchorwomen, however, responded with three runs in the bottom half of the frame to make it, 3-1. Pokora opened the scoring ambush with an RBI triple to right-center field, while senior right fielder Kristina Gingell (Pascoag, RI) and senior first baseman Maria Darling (Ansonia, CT) followed with RBI doubles of their own.
After the Anchorwomen tacked on another run in the bottom of the second to take a three-run lead, BSU cut the deficit to two in the top of the third following an RBI single from freshman third baseman Tara McCann (Fall River, MA).
The Rhode Island College offense kept rolling in the bottom half of the frame, as the hosts rattled off two more runs en route to a 6-2 advantage, keyed by Darling's two-run double to right-center field. However, led by LoPalito's two-run triple to right-center field, the resilient Bears rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to once again trim the deficit back down to two.
BSU scratched a single run in the fifth to pull within one after McCann scored on junior center fielder Jessica Laudati's (Berkley, MA) sacrifice fly, and followed with another run in the top of the sixth to tie the game, 6-6, thanks to Welch's solo-home run over the left-field fence.
RIC regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single from Gingell that scored freshman designated player Lindsey Cabral (North Providence, RI) who had reached on an error. The Bears, however, rallied in the top of the seventh to tie the game, 7-7, after Laudati plated Bettencourt with an RBI single to center field.
Following a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh that sent the game to extra innings, the Bears were unable to solve Sylvestre in the top of the eighth, leaving the game knotted at seven. The Anchorwomen finally ended the game in the bottom of the eighth after junior shortstop Katelyn Sykora's (Waterford, CT) two-out infield single scored freshman left fielder Sarah Molin (Seymour, CT) and sent the hosts to the one-run victory.
Sylvestre (4-3) went the distance for RIC, hurling eight strong innings of work in a winning effort. The senior struck out four and walked just one along the way, while scattering seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits.
Despite striking out seven batters in 3.2 innings of relief, White (9-2) suffered the loss in the nightcap for BSU. The senior conceded just two unearned runs on two hits and did not issue any walks.
Gingell went 5-for-8 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored to pace the Anchorwomen in the twinbill. RIC was also led by Darling, who went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Pokora added a trio of hits, including a triple, to go along with an RBI and two runs scored. Thoma picked up a pair of hits, including a double, and added a run scored.
LoPalito paced the BSU offense with an outstanding 5-for-7 performance at the dish that featured a double, a triple, three RBI, and a run scored. Welch had a solid night as well, as the senior went 3-for-7 with a double, a home run, an RBI, and three runs scored.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference action with a doubleheader at home against Keene State on Saturday, April 5 (1 p.m.). Bridgewater State will travel to Westfield State University for a key MASCAC twinbill with the Owls starting at noon.