Wood and Graca Shine in Softball’s Setbacks Versus Illinois College and No. 20 Saint Benedict (MN)

Recap, photo courtesy of WPI

Plant City, FL --- WPI senior Caraline Wood (Averill Park, NY) was 2-for-3 in Softball's 3-2 setback to Illinois College and junior Cassie Graca (Somerset, MA) batted 2-for-3 in a 5-1 defeat by nationally-ranked Saint Benedict (MN) Wednesday at the Sunkissed Games.

The Engineers move to 2-4 on the year. Illinois College is 2-2 and Saint Benedict, who is ranked 20th in today's NFCA national poll, is 6-2 following their respective games versus the Crimson and Gray.

Wood did the damage for WPI with a two-out two-run double in the bottom of the second. Sophomore Katie Martin (Bedford, NH) yielded three runs – two earned – on four hits and zero walks, and struck out 11 in the complete-game effort. Illinois College responded with its three runs in the top of the third.

One of Graca's hits was a triple in the top of the fifth and was promptly plated by senior Kylie Juarez (Elk Grove, CA) for the lone run and RBI versus Saint Benedict. Junior Mackenzie Phillips (Gill, MA) struck out three in the start while freshman Abigail O'Connor (Belle Mead, NJ) and Martin made relief appearances for the Crimson and Gray.