Phillips Tosses Three-Hitter in Softball’s Split at Sunkissed Games

Recap, photo courtesy of WPI

Plant City, FL --- WPI softball junior Mackenzie Phillips (Gill, MA) struck out eight in a 5-0 triumph over Heidelberg before the Engineers were edged by Muskingum, 3-2, in eight innings Friday at the Sunkissed Games.

Phillips scattered three hits and did not allow a walk in the complete-game victory. Sophomore Brittany Bolster (North Kingstown, RI) batted 2-for-3 with an RBI while sophomore Nicole Kuberka (Los Angeles, CA) delivered a pinch-hit two-run double. Seniors Renee LeClaire (Merrimack, NH) and Kylie Juarez (Elk Grove, CA) also drove in a run for the Engineers. Sophomore Marissa Gonzales (Oakley, CA) stole a pair of bases to go with one each by LeClaire and junior Cassie Graca (Somerset, MA). Freshman Hailey McCasland (Wrentham, MA) contributed with a sacrifice bunt.

WPI took a 3-0 lead after a full inning as Graca and LeClaire sandwiched an RBI ground out by Juarez by scoring on miscues put into play by LeClaire and Bolster. Kuberka later used her double to give the Engineers the 5-0 lead in the sixth.

After a pair of scoreless innings freshman Lindsay Ambrosino (Chelmsford, MA) scored on an infield miscue put into play by LeClaire before Graca stole home for the 2-0 margin. Muskingum, who is receiving votes in the NFCA Top 25, sliced the lead in half in the fifth and tied it in the sixth before a double ended the game in the bottom of the eighth.

Graca notched a pair of hits while Gonzales, Juarez and Ambrosino each chipped in with one. Sophomore Katie Martin (Bedford, NH) struck out six while Kuberka was tagged with the decision.