Softball Sweeps Mass. Maritime in MASCAC Doubleheader

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University softball team swept visiting Mass. Maritime Academy in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Alumni Park.

Bridgewater State won the opener, 5-0, and completed the sweep with a 17-1 victory in five innings in game two.

The host Bears improve to 16-16 on the season and 8-4 in the MASCAC, while the visiting Buccaneers fall to 3-23 overall and 1-11 in conference play.

Game One

Natalie Sorrenti (Bridgewater, Mass.) tossed a complete game shutout to lead Bridgewater State to the 5-0 win in game one. Sorrenti (7-1) scattered three hits, did not walk anyone and fanned three.

Meghan Navarro (Taunton, Mass.) went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored to highlight the Bears' 16-hit attack. Kacie Carvalho (Fairhaven, Mass.) singled three times in four at bats and drove in a run, while Jenny Heller (Taunton, Mass.) went 2-for -3 with a double, a stolen base, a run and an RBI. Heller was also hit by a pitch.

Shannon Grindle (Halifax, Mass.) and Rebecca Uschmann (Feeding Hills, Mass.) also recorded multiple hits for Bridgewater State in game one as they both went 2-for-4 at the plate. Uschmann also scored a run.

The Bears left 14 runners on base in the opener.

Jenna Nalette (Goffstown, N.H.) suffered the loss in the circle for Mass. Maritime. Nalette (2-8) allowed five runs (three earned) on 16 hits with a walk and pair of strikeouts.

Game Two

The BSU offense exploded for 17 runs on 18 hits in the nightcap. The game was stopped after 4 ½ innings due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Heller continued to swing a hot bat as she went 3-for-4 with her third home run of the season, two runs scored and five RBI. Samantha Mulcahy (Taunton, Mass.) was a perfect 4-for-4 at the dish with a double and two runs, while Courtney Gouveia (Taunton, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI and Alexandra Ruprecht (Kingston, Mass.) went 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI.

Grindle (2-for-4, 2 runs) and Uschmann (2-for-3, run) also finished with multiple hits in game two, while Carvalho and Tabitha Domeij (Westborough, Mass.) each doubled and drove in two runs apiece.

Kaitlyn Shaw (Lakeville, Mass.) notched her seventh win of the season in the circle for Bears as she pitched all five innings. Shaw (7-3) allowed a run on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

Carli Thomas (Brewster, Mass.) and Rachel Gardner (Bourne, Mass.) each reached safely in all three plate appearances for Mass. Maritime. Thomas singled twice and was hit by a pitch, while Gardner singled walked twice and scored a run. Madison Ovadek (Greenland, N.H.) knocked in Gardner with the Buccaneers' only run of the twinbill with an RBI single.

Maritime pitchers allowed 17 runs, only 11 of which were earned, on 18 hits with two strikeouts.

The Bears wrap up regular season play on Saturday when they travel to Westfield State University for a MASCAC doubleheader with the Owls starting at noon. The Buccaneers entertain Pine Manor College in a non-conference twinbill on Thursday with game one getting underway at 3:30.