Softball Split Non-Conference Play at Westfield State

WESTFIELD, Mass. (April 28, 2022) – The Western New England Softball team took on the Westfield State Owls in a non-conference double header on the road where they split with the Owls, winning the first game 5-1, and losing the second 11-3 after six innings.

Records:

• Western New England: 21-13
• Westfield State: 17-17

Game 1: Western New England 5, Westfield State 1

To open the ballgame, Alex Ferriouolo knocked one out of the park to give the Golden Bears their first run of the game. To add, Paige Baca was walked to collect another RBI for WNE in the top of the first inning, and they held Westfield State to no hits or runs in the bottom to take a 2-0 lead after one. After another inning with no runs, The Golden Bears hit the scoreboard again in the top of the third. A throwing error, a walk, and a hit batter set Kaleigh Blades up for an RBI on a single through the left side for a 3-0 lead. Still holding the Owls to no runs, the Golden Bears increased their lead again in the top of the fourth. Again, with the bases loaded, Cori Rizzo was able to reach first on a fielder's choice but as everyone advanced, Ferriouolo got out trying to reach home by the catcher. A consecutive fielder's choice let Lizzie Weston advance to first and pickup an RBI as Dina DiBlasio made it home. The Golden Bears had now secured a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, Westfield scored their only run on a double to left center hit by Colleen Hughes to collect the RBI. The Golden Bears picked up their last run in the top of the seventh also on a double hit to left center from Madison Mason. The Owls had three straight outs in the bottom to close the game, and the Golden Bears won 5-1.

Behind The Box score:

• The Golden Bears' Alex Ferriouolo hit a homerun in the first inning of the game. Madison Mason adds another RBI and a double hit.
• Lizzie Weston, Paige Baca, and Kaleigh Blades all had RBIs in the game 1.
• Starting Pitcher Megan Beebe pitched in 6.0 innings, she faced 23 batters, allowed one run and had eight strikeouts.
• The Golden Bears had five runs on 10 hits and allowed one run on three hits.

Game 2: Westfield State 11, Western New England 3

The second game started with the Owls getting the first runs of the game. The bottom of the first, Westfield picked up two back-to back runs following three single hits to load the bases to take a 2-0 lead. Madison Mason started hitting for the Golden Bears in the top of the second, and hit a single through the left side, Paige Baca bunted, and Kaleigh Blades was hit by the pitcher before WNE got two straight outs. Alex Ferriouolo collected the RBI for the Golden Bears to only trail by one, 2-1. Ava Blanchard struck out the first two batters for the Owls in the bottom and after a single they picked up the last out on a fly ball. The owls added to their lead in the bottom of the third gaining three more runs making it a 5-1 game.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the fifth was a competitive one. Kaleigh Blades hit a double to left center to get two RBIs as Cori Rizzo and Mason ran past home plate. The two runs gave the Golden Bears two more tallies and a 5-3 ballgame. Westfield completed another run in the bottom, also on a double to make their lead 6-3. WNE, unfortunately went without a run in the top of the sixth inning, and the Owls closed out the game in the bottom, completing five runs on five hits. They hit two doubles in the inning and gathered four RBIs. The last run came on a wild pitch that the Owls Abby Higgins ran to home on. The Golden Bears lost to the Owls 11-3.

Inside The Diamond:

• Western New England's Alex Ferriouolo was 1-3, had an RBI and hit a double. Kaleigh Blades was 1-2 and had two RBIs.
• Cori Rizzo and Madison Mason completed the all the runs for the Golden Bears, combing for three.
• Starting Pitcher Ava Blanchard pitched in 5.2 innings, she faced 33 batters, allowed 10 runs, and had four strikeouts. RP Emilia Garcia finished out the game.
• The Golden Bears had three runs in six hits and allowed 11 hits on 15 runs.

Up Next: The Golden Bears will remain on the road for their next doubleheader game on Saturday, April 30, where they will be traveling to Curry College for a 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. start.

The Owls have their last regular season game also on Saturday. They will be heading to Framingham State for a 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. game.