2008 NEWMAC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT - Second-seeded Wheaton falls in semifinal to number-three Springfield, 2-1

April 27, 2008

WELLESLEY, MA- The second-seeded Wheaton College softball team rallied to knot its New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament semifinal contest at one in the fifth inning before yielding the eventual winning run in the bottom half to number-three Springfield College, and the Lyons fell by that 2-1 margin while being eliminated on Sunday at Wellesley College. Wheaton's season ended at 29-14, while the Pride improved to 27-15 and advanced to the championship round to face the host Blue, needing two wins to take the crown.

The Lyon offense had a number of threats go unanswered, beginning when senior Erika Marini (Pawtucket, RI/Saint Raphael Academy) and freshman Rachel Merrick (Methuen, MA/Central Catholic) smacked back-to-back singles with one down in the first inning and each moved up a base on a groundout before being stranded. In the second, freshmen Nicole DeRosa (Greenwich, CT/Greenwich Academy) and Katy Salka (Ayer, MA/Ayer) both singled before stealing a base with two down but moved no further.

Springfield broke on the board in the bottom of the frame, as sophomore Jaimie Moran (Manchester, CT/Manchester) led off with a double and came home on junior Shanda Kogut's (Preston, CT/Norwich Free Academy) two-out infield single. Wheaton senior hurler Jodi Moynagh (Worcester, MA/Holy Name Central Catholic) averted further damage in the third, as a double and infield error put two on with no one out, but she induced three fly ball outs to end the threat.

In the fifth, the Lyons plated their run to knot the contest. Senior Audrey Poulton (Charlestown, RI/Chariho Regional) singled with one down, and Marini followed with a base knock. Merrick hit into a fielder's choice, but an ensuing throw from the shortstop got away and allowed Poulton to score.

The Pride got the run back in the bottom half, as a single by senior Denise Fumicello (Brockton, MA/Cardinal Spellman) was immediately followed by junior Angela Atkins' (East Haddam, CT/Nathan Hale-Ray) RBI double. Wheaton nearly tied the game in the sixth, as juniors Brady Benton (Concord, NH/Concord) and Lynn Cotto (Brookfield, CT/Brookfield) rapped consecutive base hits with one out. DeRosa then reached on a fielding error, but the Lyons had the tying run gunned down at the plate on the play.

Wheaton put the tying run on base in the seventh, as Poulton singled with one down, but the next two Lyons were retired by junior southpaw Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, MA/Nipmuc Regional), who went the route for Springfield.

Marini and Poulton each went 2-for-4, as the Lyons recorded nine hits but stranded eight. Moynagh allowed one run on three hits over four innings, walking two and striking out two to finish her career with 504 strikeouts. Sophomore Andrea Bagley (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) yielded one run on three hits in two frames, fanning one, and suffered the loss. It was the final contest for head coach Gina Loudenburg, who announced her resignation effective at the end of the season in February. Wheaton went 533-202-3 in her 19 seasons.

Atkins and Moran each went 2-for-3, with Atkins doubling twice, to account for four of the Pride's six hits. Rhodes allowed an unearned run on nine hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Springfield left seven on.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 4/28/08.
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