WPI Softball's Hometown Heroes Dazzle in Tuesday Morning Split

Kelsey Saucier (credit: Joe Wydner, SUNY Oneonta)

Clermont, FL --- WPI sophomore Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) went 6-for-7 with an inside the park home run, three doubles, three RBI and three runs scored on the day while classmate Kelsey Saucier (Worcester, MA) rebounded from a rough start yesterday to spin a complete-game shutout of Penn State Behrend in the second game of a softball doubleheader Tuesday morning at the NTC Spring Games. The Engineers (3-1), meanwhile, bounced back from a 5-4 setback in game one versus Alvernia (PA).

Saucier allowed eight hits, struck out seven and walked one while the Lions (2-4) left 10 on base, including five in scoring position. Biney contributed to all three runs as she raced to an inside the park homer in the first before doubling and promptly coming home in the third as she and junior Kristin Gallagher (Coventry, RI) connected on back-to-back RBI doubles. Senior Jacquelyne DiTroia (Andover, MA) led off the frame with a double to begin the outburst.

Biney went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored and junior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) reached on a base hit and a walk.

Trailing 5-2 entering the seventh of the eye-opener, WPI managed to cut the deficit to one thanks to an RBI double by Biney and a Crusader (2-1) miscue. A pair of infield ground outs halted the Engineers rally resulting in the 5-4 final.

Alvernia scored one in the first. Gurska tied the game with a run-producing triple to right and was plated by a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman Kylie Juarez (Elk Grove, PA) for the 2-1 advantage. The Crusaders responded with a four in the top of the third to regain the lead for good.

Sophomore Casey Arpin (Uxbridge, MA) yielded four hits and struck out two in four scoreless innings of relief. Junior Caroline Medino (Pompton Lakes, NJ) shouldered the loss in her second decision of the season.

Biney batted 3-for-4, with two stolen bases, a double, an RBI and a run scored while sophomore Julia Veitch (Carlisle, MA) went 2-for-3. Sophomore Nina Murphy-Cook (Roseville, CA) also stole a base for the Crimson and Gray.

The Engineers take on St. Joseph's (ME) at 9am and Moravian (PA) at 1pm tomorrow. The Crusaders draw Pitt Greensburg at 9am and Monmouth at 11 while the Lions enjoy an off day before facing Misericordia at 9am and Cedar Crest at 11 on Thursday.