Softball Sweeps Salem State

WESTFIELD, Mass.    –  Westfield State softball swept a conference doubleheader at Salem State on Monday, winning the opener 13-1, and the nightcap 4-3.

Westfield improves to 20-6 overall and 5-1 in the MASCAC, tied atop the conference standings with Framingham State.  The Owls won their 20^th game of the season – the third straight with 20+ wins under third year head coach Joe Hough.

In game one, Westfield strung together eight straight hits with two out in the second inning, and scored nine runs, aided by three errors in the inning.  Katelyn Baker got the scoring started with a 2-run single, and Kassidy LaTour tacked on a 2-run triple later in the inning.

Katherine Canty spun a complete game in the circle, working five innings as the game was shortened by the eight run rule. She allowed four hits, one run, and struck out five to run her record to 9-1 on the season.

In the nightcap, the Owls got another complete game as Joss Mettey (W, 6-1) went the route as the Owls jumped out to a 4-0 lead and held on for a 4-3 win.

Mettey allowed five hits but no earned runs, and fanned seven while walking none.

Westfield did all its damage in the sixth, getting a 2-run triple from Sarah Bingham, and RBI singles from Janna Jose and Christina Ciampa.

Salem answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, two on a base hit from Dawn Eisnor, but Eisnor was cut down at second trying to stretch the hit into a double to end the threat.

Mettey retired the Vikings 1-2-3 in the seventh to seal the win.

Salem is now 13-11, 3-3 on the season.

Westfield State will be home on Tuesday to host Gordon in a non-conference doubleheader.