TOP-SEEDED ANCHORWOMEN ADVANCE AT NCAA N.E. REGIONAL

Providence, RI—Top-seeded Rhode Island College defeated fourth-seeded Wellesley, 3-1, in game four of the 2008 NCAA Div. III New England Regional Softball Tournament at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex.

The Anchorwomen (34-7) will play the winner of second-seeded Tufts vs. third-seeded St. Joseph’s (game seven) on Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. The Blue (28-10-1) will play an elimination game with sixth-seeded Bridgewater State tomorrow at noon.

Rhode Island College scored all three of its runs in the fifth inning. Junior left fielder Kelli McCartin (Cranston, R.I.) walked and was sacrificed to second to start the frame. Senior catcher Jeanne Rosa (Milford, Conn.) and sophomore shortstop Kelsey Souza (Braintree, Mass.) both reached on infield bunt singles to load the bases against Wellesley senior pitcher Jenna Harvey (London, Ontario).

McCartin scored on a wild pitch and senior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, Conn.) plated two with a single to right field.

Christie Lotti

RIC freshman starting pitcher Melanie Neece (Westfield, Mass.) cruised through the first six innings, allowing just two hits until the Blue broke through in the seventh.

Wellesley sophomore first baseman Alex Warren (Delta, British Columbia) smacked a leadoff double to right center field and senior shortstop Alexandria Coari (Geneva, Ill.) reached on an error to put runners on the corners with no outs.

Junior second baseman Amanda Tai (Melrose, Mass.) grounded out to third and Lotti cut down Warren at the plate for a crucial double play. Coari then scored on an error, but Neece buckled down to retire sophomore right fielder Ilana Orloff (Weston, Mass.) with a pop out to Souza.

Neece earned the win (19-3), allowing one unearned run on four hits, while striking out five in seven innings.

Harvey took the loss (16-4), allowing three runs on five hits and striking out seven.

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