SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 19, 2006 – Springfield College senior shortstop Caitlin McGaughey (South Windsor, Conn.) went a combined 3-for-6 with three RBIs and one run scored in two games as the Pride swept local rival, Western New England College, by scores of 9-1 (five innings) and 5-2, in non-conference action this afternoon at Potter Field.

With the two wins, SC improves to 19-16 overall on the season, as the Pride has now won five consecutive contests. The Golden Bears fall to 27-7 overall on the 2006 campaign.

In the first game, after a leadoff home run from WNEC senior catcher Kristy Kehoss, SC responded by scoring three runs in the home half of the first. Pride sophomore second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, Mass.) equaled Kehoss’ task, belting a leadoff homer to even the score at one apiece. In the two games combined, Fumicello went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI. SC then went on to score another run in the third to make it 4-1, as the Pride then plated five runners in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the five-inning affair by a 9-1 final.

In game two, SC scored a single run in every inning but the fifth. The Pride jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a WNEC error in the first, and then in the second inning, SC increased its lead to two on a Fumicello double to left. The Golden Bears would not go away quietly, however, as sophomore first baseman Jackie Card singled down the left field line to tie the score at two apiece.

The Pride regained it lead in the home half of the third inning on a McGaughey single up the middle. SC made it 4-2 in the fourth on a single to left from senior designated player Sarah Bagierek (Douglas, Mich.), and then plated its fifth and final run in the sixth inning on an RBI from senior catcher Amanda Johansson (Leominster, Mass.).

In the lidlifter, sophomore right-hander Stephanie Blackman (Stamford, Conn.) recorded her ninth win of the season by giving up just one hit in five complete innings. In the nightcap, freshman lefty Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.) scattered nine hits over seven complete innings to improve to 8-3 overall on the season. Rhodes also walked just one in seven innings while striking out six.

The Pride will next return to conference play as it hosts Babson College on Friday afternoon, April 21st, in a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader at Potter Field.

published: 04/19/2006