Team Effort Highlights WPI Softball’s Game Two Comeback in DH Sweep of Wheaton

Recap, photo courtesy of WPI

WORCESTER – Freshman Brittany Bolster (North Kingstown, RI) was one of three Engineers to bat 2-for-3 in game one and junior Renee LeClaire (Merrimack, NH) went 3-for-3 with a double in game two as WPI topped Wheaton, 6-3 and 9-4, Saturday in a NEWMAC Softball doubleheader on Rooftop Field.

The Engineers are now 15-5 on the season, 5-1 against NEWMAC teams and tied with MIT atop the leaderboard. Wheaton dips to 4-12 and 2-4.

Senior Ama Biney (Worcester, MA) led off the bottom of the first with a home run. Wheaton pulled even in the second courtesy of a wild pitch. The Lyons looked to plate another but the runner was caught in a rundown for the second out. WPI freshman Skylar O'Connell (North Attleboro, MA) then sent the ball over the shortstop into left field to drive in a run in the bottom of the second.

With two outs in the third, freshman Marissa Gonzales (Oakley, CA) singled in a run and came home on a stand up triple by LeClaire. Senior RiAnna May (Westminster, CO) followed with an infield RBI knock for the 5-1 advantage through three.

Each side dented the scoreboard in the fourth as Wheaton junior Emily Schlapak (Dover, NH)

Eckler Scores Coveted New England Football Writers Gold Helmet

Cambridge, MA --- WPI football senior Dan Eckler (Stoughton, MA) was selected as the New England Football Writers Division II/III Gold Helmet recipient for his play last week at Norwich. He is the first Engineer to earn the award since Mitch McClune in 2012 and the first Crimson and Gray offensive selection since Justin Wells in 2005.

Eckler, who was named the Liberty League Co-Offensive Performer of the Week and WPI Men's Student-Athlete of the Week on Monday, threw for 342 yards on 13-of-18 passing, including touchdowns strikes to four different receivers, and ran for an additional score as WPI went on the road and defeated Norwich 40-17 in a non-conference football contest played on Saturday afternoon. The senior averaged 26.3 yards per completion and currently leads Division III with a 240.38 passing efficiency on the season. He is also leads the nation in yards per attempt (13.56), is fourth in yards per completion (18.6), fifth in completion percentage (72.9) and seventh in points responsible for (66).

Football (3-0) opens Liberty League action Saturday at Springfield. Kickoff is slated for 1pm.

WPI Baseball Powers Past Springfield in NEWMAC West Finale

Recap, photo courtesy of WPI

WORCESTER -- Freshman Steven Gallagher (Coventry, RI) smacked a homer in both games and juniors Mike Vaitkunas (Auburn, MA) and Aidan Freeburg (Billerica, MA) each turned in outstanding starts as WPI swept a NEWMAC doubleheader from visiting Springfield 19-2 and 17-3 Saturday evening at Clark's Granger Field.

WPI, who had won Friday's series opener in Springfield, is now 25-10 overall and 10-5 in conference contests while the Pride dip to 11-21-1 on the season and complete NEWMAC play with a 4-13 mark.  

Seniors played a big role for WPI offensively in game one.  Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY) led

WPI Softball's Doolin and Company Out-Duel MIT for First Place in NEWMAC

Recap, photo courtesy of WPI

Cambridge, MA --- WPI softball used strong pitching and a nearly flawless defense to take control of the NEWMAC regular season title chase as the Engineers swept nationally-ranked MIT by scores of 2-0 and 2-1 on Friday afternoon.

WPI, now 31-5 overall and 15-1 in conference play and slotted fourth in the initial NCAA Division III New England regional rankings, must only win once at home versus Babson or see host MIT drop a game to Wellesley on Saturday (today) to secure the top seed in next weekend's NEWMAC Tournament.  It is the third consecutive season the Crimson and Gray have totaled at least 30 wins in a season, which includes a school-record for any sport with 34 a year ago. MIT, ranked 20th in the latest NFCA Top 30 and No. 1 in the NCAA regional rankings, falls to 24-8 on the season and 14-2 in NEWMAC action.

Pitcher Clare Doolin (Newton, MA) was magnificent in game one, facing just two batters over the

WPI's Comei Hits Century Mark in Baseball's NEWMAC West Opener at Springfield

Nick Comei

Springfield, MA --- Nick Comei (Haverhill, MA) collected his 100th and 101st career hit as WPI defeated host Springfield in the NEWMAC Baseball West Division series opener, 12-4, on Berry-Allen Field Friday.

With the loss, Springfield falls to 11-19-1 on the season, with a conference mark of 4-11, while the Engineers improve to 23-10 overall, 10-5 in the league.

Starting his final game on Berry-Allen Field, senior Dan Green (Oakland, NJ) pitched 6.2 innings and struck out two, while Joey Gamache (Lebanon, CT) came on in relief, and pitched the final 1.1 innings, picking up a pair of strikeouts.

For the Engineers, Steven D'Agostino (Shrewsbury, MA) earned his sixth win of the year, pitching

WPI Softball Takes Two From Westfield State in Non-Conference Finale

WORCESTER – Junior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) batted 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored in a 5-3 win and senior Clare Doolin (Newton, MA) spun a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts in a 9-0 (5 inn.) complete-game victory as the WPI softball team closed out its non-conference slate with a sweep of Westfield State Wednesday at Rooftop Field.

With the win, the Engineers are now 29-5 heading into the final weekend of NEWMAC regular season action while the Owls dip to 11-20 on the year.

The first game saw Westfield State take the early lead with two outs in the first behind an RBI single

LeClaire and Saucier Lead WPI Softball to Sweep of UMass Dartmouth

Photo, Recap Courtesy: WPI

Worcester, MA --- The WPI softball team swept its third doubleheader in four days Monday, beating UMass-Dartmouth, 5-4, and 6-0, hot-hitting leadoff bat Nina Murphy-Cook (Roseville, CA), who went 4 for 6 overall at Rooftop Field.

The Engineers won the opening game on a walk-off sacrifice fly by freshman Renee LeClaire (Merrimack, NH), who drove in fellow first-year Caraline Wood (Averill Park, NY) on the tag-up to help WPI prevail in a squeaker.

With the first win out of the way, the hosts cruised to victory in the nightcap, thanks to a two-hit

D’Ambrosio Engineers Walk-Off to Send WPI Baseball Past Visiting Coast Guard

Vinny D'Ambrosio. Photo is courtesy of WPI

Northboro, MA --- Second baseman Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY) hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to send host WPI to a 3-2 win over NEWMAC foe Coast Guard in the first game a three-game, home-and-home series on Friday afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex.

The senior D'Ambrosio went 3 for 5 with a stolen base, accounting for nearly half of the Engineers' seven hits, as he also single in the first and third inning.

Junior right-hander Mike Vaitkunas (Auburn, MA) went eight innings for his third straight start.

Venditti Shines in WPI Baseball's Setback to MIT, Filiere in Mid-Week NEWMAC Action

Sean Greene. Photo is courtesy of WPI

Northboro, MA --- Reigning NEWMAC Player of the Week sophomore Austin Filiere (Chandler, AZ) batted 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, six RBI and two runs scored to lead MIT to a 15-5 victory over host WPI in a NEWMAC baseball divisional crossover game Wednesday afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex.

The visiting Engineers improve to 10-8 overall and 8-1 in the league while the Crimson and Gray slip to 18-8 and 6-3.

Filiere made his presence known early as he connected on a 3-run blast to right center three batters

Gurska and Wood Guide WPI Softball to Victory in Split With Worcester State

WORCESTER – Junior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) and freshman Caraline Wood (Averill Park, NY) each batted 3-for-4 and combined for four RBI and three runs scored in a 7-2 WPI triumph while junior Sydney Despres (Sterling, MA) hit a grand slam in an 8-5 Worcester State victory as the two softball squads split a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday evening at Rooftop Field.

The Engineers (21-5) won their 10th straight with the game one victory before it was snapped by the Lancers (11-10-1), who were riding a five-game streak heading into today's action, in the nightcap.

After senior Clare Doolin (Newton, MA) pitched a 1-2-3 first, WPI dented the scoreboard three

WPI Softball Takes Two From Coast Guard; Reaches 20 Wins For Third Consecutive Campaign

Katie Chagami...Photo is courtesy of WPI

WORCESTER – Senior Jacquelyne DiTroia (Andover, MA) and sophomore Katie Chagami (Waipahu, HI) combined to go 5-for-5 with three doubles and three runs scored in game one and junior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and two runs scored in game two as host WPI defeated visiting Coast Guard 11-1 (5 inn.) and 7-1 in a NEWMAC softball doubleheader Monday at Rooftop Field.

The Engineers (20-4, 9-1 NEWMAC) have now won 20 games in each of the past three seasons. This year's squad has also reached the milestone in the fewest amount of games under the watchful eye of third-year head coach Whitney Goldstein. WPI is also in the midst of a nine-game winning streak that includes four consecutive conference twinbills. Coast Guard falls to 8-20 overall and 1-9 in league play.

WPI broke a scoreless game wide open with nine runs in the bottom of the second in the initial

Venditti's Seventh-Inning Blast Salvages Sunday NEWMAC WPI Baseball Split With Babson

Babson Park, MA --- Babson sophomore Teddy Carey (Upton, MA) scattered three hits, struck out seven and walked one in an eight-inning appearance and WPI senior Alex Venditti (Newton, MA) batted 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, four RBI and two runs scored as the squads split a NEWMAC baseball doubleheader Sunday at Govoni Field. The Beavers (12-8-1, 4-4 NEWMAC) won game one 11-2 while the Engineers (18-7, 6-2 NEWMAC) rebounded with an 8-7 triumph in game two.

Game One
Sophomore Mark Webber (Norwell, MA) led Babson with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate with a double, two walks, three RBI and a pair of runs scored. Freshman Brian McHale (Ramsey, NJ) batted 2-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and three runs scored while junior Jack Halpin (Glastonbury, CT) also went 2-for-4 to go along with a walk, two RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Adam Ayala (Franklin Lakes, NJ) walked twice, stole a base and crossed the plate twice. Senior George Crowley (Watertown, MA) hit a two-run home run and freshman Eric Jaun (Loveland, OH) doubled. Junior Kevin Murphy (Pembroke, MA) swiped a pair of bases for the Beavers. Halpin had a hand in all five Babson double plays while Ayala factored in four and McHale contributed in two. Carey and sophomore David Lennon (Windermere, FL) each chipped in on one. Carey, who enjoyed four 1-2-3 innings, moved to 1-1 on the season while freshman Connor Gill (Sterling, MA) pitched the bottom of the ninth.

Seniors Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY), Venditti, John Mulready (Rockland, MA) and Sean

WPI: Doolin and Wood Help Key Softball Sweep of City-Rival Clark

WORCESTER – Senior Clare Doolin (Newton, MA) struck out a career high 16 batters in game one and freshman Caraline Wood (Averill Park, NY) batted 3-for-4, including a double and her first collegiate home run, to go along with three RBI and two runs scored in game two as WPI swept city-rival Clark, 4-3 and 15-2 (5 inn.), in a NEWMAC softball set Friday at Rooftop Field.

Doolin fanned the first nine batters she faced, including two looking, before yielding a leadoff base hit to senior Alyssa Wright (Manchester, NH). Following a sacrifice bunt by freshman Jocie Orangio (Maynard. MA), Doolin struck out the final two batters of the fourth to bring her total to 11. She initially set a career high with her 12th K to begin the bottom of the fifth.

Offensively, junior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) drew a two out walk, stole second and raced

WPI Baseball Edges City-Rival Clark in NEWMAC West Series Opener

Northboro, MA --- Sophomore Steven D'Agostino (Shrewsbury, MA) scattered four hits over seven innings to help lead WPI to a 4-3 victory over Clark in both teams' NEWMAC Baseball West Division opener Friday afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex.

With the win, the Engineers improve to 15-6 overall and 3-1 overall in conference action while Clark evens out at 12-12 on the year and 2-2 in league play.

Senior Vinny D'Ambrosio (Mahopac, NY) logged the second ground-rule double of the game to lead off the bottom of the first. He came home two batters later courtesy of a senior Alex Venditti (Newton, MA) RBI single up the middle. Clark benefitted from a sacrifice fly of the bat of junior Tyler Hutchinson (Greene, ME) and a muffed throw to take the 2-1 lead in the top of the second.
The Engineers put two men in scoring position in the second only to see the next 11 batters of the game retired in order. Senior DJ Ouellette (Watertown, CT) restarted the offense with a first pitch homer to left center to begin the bottom of the fourth. The blast also evened the game at 2-2.

Clark regained the lead in the top of the eighth behind a two-out RBI single by junior Adam Chochrek (Foxboro, MA). D'Ambrosio leveled the game at 3-3 with a run-producing hit to right before a wild pitch allowed sophomore Evan Lacroix (Methuen, MA) to plate the game-winning run.
Lacroix led the way with a 3-for-4 outing and a double as freshman Steven Gallagher (Coventry, RI) batted 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Both Venditti and senior John Mulready (Rockland, MA) (double) went 2-for-4 at the plate and D'Ambrosio was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored a the top of the lineup. D'Agostino allowed two runs – one earned – on four hits while striking out three and walking four. Junior Dan Bettigole (South Windsor, CT) pocketed the win (2-1) after yielding one run on one hit in an inning of work. Sophomore Drew Gelinas (Saco, ME) picked up his second save of the season after a 1-2-3 ninth.

Chochrek went 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Kyle Bonicki (Waterbury, CT) doubled as senior Chris Dibble (Manchester, CT) was credited with a sacrifice bunt and Hutchinson collected a sacrifice fly. Sophomore Teddy Downing (Cambridge, MA) and senior Zach Richall (Tyngsboro, MA) each stole a base for the Cougars. Freshman Cal Slepkow (Rehoboth, MA) worked the first 7 2/3 and handed the ball to sophomore Joshua Dobratz (Southington, CT) for the balance of the game.

In all, the game featured three ground-rule doubles in the first inning.

WPI Baseball Hands Down 10-2 Judgement to Brandeis

Northboro, MA --- Junior Nick Comei (Haverhill, MA), senior Sean Greene (Hingham, MA) and senior John Caliri (Hanson, MA) all registered multiple hits as WPI defeated Brandeis 10-2 in a non-conference baseball contest Wednesday afternoon at the New England Baseball Complex.

The Engineers improve to 11-5 on the year while the Judges dip to 6-9 on the season.

Caliri delivered the first RBI of the game in the bottom of the second. Junior Ryan Tettemer

WPI Softball Edges St. Joseph's (ME), Falls to No. 19 Moravian at NTC Spring Games

Lindsay Gurska

Clermont, FL --- Freshman Caraline Wood (Averill Park, NY) batted 4-for-4 and helped chase home the winning run as WPI defeated St. Joseph's (ME), 2-1, before absorbing a 10-8 setback to No. 19 Moravian Wednesday in a morning-afternoon softball doubleheader at the NTC Spring Games.
The Engineers sit 4-2 and will enjoy a day off before taking on Waynesburg (PA) and Simmons on Friday at 11am and 1pm, respectively. The Monks (3-2) continue their day with a game against Austin while the Greyhounds (5-0) face Alfred at 3pm.

Tied 1-1 after six, sophomore RiAnna May (Westminster, CO) reached on a one-out miscue and scored thanks to a single by Wood that bounced past the centerfielder. The next five batters of the game went down in order for the 2-1 final.

The bases were juiced for junior Lindsay Gurska (Revere, MA) who drew a walk to produce the

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.

WPI Softball Rallies For Sweep On Opening Day; Doolin Delivers in Game One

Winter Garden, FL --- Senior Clare Doolin (Newton, MA) spun a one-hitter in game one and sophomore RiAnna May (Westminster, CO) went 2-for-4 with the game-winning 2-RBI single the opener and was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored in game two as the WPI softball team rallied for a sweep of Emmanuel and Thiel Monday afternoon at the NTC Spring Games.

The Engineers open the season with a 2-0 record while Emmanuel moves to 2-2 and Thiel slips to 1-2.

Doolin struck out 11 and only walked two batters in the eight-inning complete game for the Engineers. Her opponent racked up 10 Ks and walked three in the complete game for the Saints.

WPI avoided trouble early while Doolin enjoyed a pair of perfect frames as WPI and Emmanuel were

WPI D’Agostino, Freeburg and Vendetti Key Baseball’s Sweep of Waynesburg (PA)

Winter Haven, FL --- Sophomore Steven D'Agostino (Shrewsbury, MA) pitched a three-hit shutout in game one and senior Alex Venditti (Newton, MA) logged an RBI and two runs scored in game two as WPI swept Waynesburg (PA), 4-0 and 5-2, Monday morning in a non-conference baseball doubleheader at Chain of Lakes Park.

The Engineers head into an off-day with a 2-2 record while the Yellow Jackets fall to 1-4 on the young season.

D'Agostino struck out five and walked one in the 89-pitch complete game effort. His counterpart also

WPI Takes Out Eastern Nazarene in Straight Sets

Quincy, MA --- A balanced attack helped WPI spoil Homecoming for Eastern Nazarene in a non-conference volleyball match played Saturday morning.   The Engineers cruised to a 3-0 victory with sets of 25-6, 25-9, 25-14 for their sixth straight victory to improve to 16-5 on the season.

The Crimson and Gray scored the opening three points and never trailed at all in the match.   The guests hit .305 on the day, second best in 21 matches this season, including a jaw-dropping .455 in the second set, smashing 13 kills and making just three errors in 22 tries in the middle frame.

Azita Bakhtyari (Andover, MA) was the only player for either team to reach double figures in any statistical category other than attempts.   The freshman doled out 11 assists on the day to go along with four digs. Caroline Meyer (Easton, MA) also was strong as a setter, handing seven assists and totaling three digs.  Casey Hunt (Granby, CT) blasted a match-best eight kills, finishing with just one less than the Lions amassed all match, and Kat Hurlock (Burlington, CT) chipped in with six.

Cassandra Tomerlin (La Quinta, CA) paced all players with seven digs while sharing match-high honors with Ann Kaczowka (Seekonk, MA) in aces with three. Sam Bircsak (Acton, MA) stuffed the stat sheets with four kills, five digs and two blocks and Brooke Klepper (Miami Beach, MA), Melissa Daigle (Norfolk, MA), Brianna Parent (Epping, NH) and Bakhtyari registered multiple kills.  

Victoria Nassar (Salem, MA) totaled three digs, an ace and an assist while Holly Shumway (Franklin, MA) recorded a third set dig.

"We had a lot of great contributions today from our entire team, remarked WPI head coach Greg Poole. "We had the opportunity to mix up our line-ups and experiment with a variety of offensive plays.  It was great to see our players perform at such a consistantly high level throughout the entire match."

Hannah Welsh (Derry, NH) led the home team with five kills while notching six digs, four assists and two aces. Madisen Robinson (West Grove, PA) tallied a pair of kill and five digs while Joanna Joseph (Brockton, MA) finished with two kills. Kayla Dean (Lansdale, PA) posted five assists and Oksana DiCamillo (Eighty-Four, PA) recorded five digs.

WPI is at Springfield Tuesday evening for a key NEWMAC match.  Eastern Nazarene hits the road for a non-conference match at Framingham State on Monday.

Portions Courtesy Eastern Nazarene Sports Information