SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 1, 2006 – Springfield College senior designated player Sarah Bagierek (Douglas, Mich.) led the Pride to a 9-4 victory over the Lyons of Wheaton College this afternoon at Potter Field by going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. The second game of the doubleheader was postponed due to rain. It will be made up tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Potter Field.

After falling behind in the first inning off a home run to right field by Wheaton junior shortstop Nicole Lachance (Rochester, N.H.), SC senior catcher Amanda Johansson (Leominster, Mass.) tied the game with a single to right field, driving in sophomore second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, Mass.). Fumicello leads the NEWMAC in both runs scored and stolen bases thus far on the season.

After both teams exchanged runs in the first inning, the Pride was able to score five in the second, capped by a two-run single to left field by Bagierek. Wheaton college capitalized on two consecutive wild pitches in the third, plating two runs.

SC responded by scoring one in the fourth and two more in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Senior first baseman Keir Stanford (Melrose, Mass.) had an infield hit, scoring Johansson in the fourth inning. Bagierek doubled to center, scoring freshman Shanda Kogut (Preston, Conn.) for the final run of the game in the fifth.

For Wheaton College, Lachance went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double, scoring one run and knocking in one more. Junior Jessica DePolito went 2-for-4 while knocking in one run.

Pride sophomore Stephanie Blackman (Stamford, Conn.) pitched a complete game, striking out three and walking two in posting the victory. She improves her record to 5-4 for the season. The loss goes Lyon sophomore Audrey Poulton. She falls to 6-3 overall.

With the win, the Pride improves to 9-10 overall and 3-2 in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play and Wheaton falls to 13-6 overall and 2-1 in the NEWMAC.

published: 04/01/2006