Posted: Apr 10, 2011

AMCATS bounce back with sweep of Regis on Sunday

WESTON, Mass.—Jill Hurley (Worcester, Mass./Burncoat) and Mary Moroski (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) each hit home runs for Anna Maria, as the AMCATS swept a The Commonwealth Coast Conference doubleheader versus Regis College on Sunday afternoon.

The loss drops Regis College to 1-28 overall, and 0-18 in the conference. Anna Maria improved to 11-13 overall, and 4-8 in TCCC play.

Benjamin went 1-for-2 with two runs batted in during the first game, and a less impressive 0-for-2 performance at the plate in game two. Defensively, Benjamin had 17 putouts, including two off the back tags on runners.

Moroski had a decent second game at the plate. She went 1-for-3, had two RBIs, and hit the only homerun of the second game. Moroski blasted the second pitch by Kendra Abram (Acushnet, Mass./Acushnet) high over the left-centerfield fence into the netting.

Hurley's homerun smashed the ball into Regis' scoreboard. Her hit ensured that no Regis College fielder would be able to catch it, and locked in Anna Maria's lead. Hurley was 2-for-4 in game one with three RBIs. On defense she had two putouts and three assists for the AMCats.

Pitcher Sarah Porteus (South Wellfleet, Mass./Nauset) struck out her first two batters, and pitched Moroski into popping out to third base to open the first inning. Porteus faced 34 batters, pitched 6.0 innings, and struck-out five batters.

The Pride defense allowed Anna Maria to stage a fourth inning rally that produced seven runs (four earned), and saw the AMCats batting around in the order in game one. Regis College attempted a come back in the fifth inning with Amanda Carlson (Ayer, Mass./Ayer) and Alex Manavas (Montville, Conn./Montville) hitting a single and double, respectively. Carlson had a total of six putouts defensively, including a diving catch in left-centerfield for a third out.

Manavas was 2-for-2 in game one as she hit two doubles. The AMCats Hurley and Allyssa Boykin (Worcester, Mass./Burncoat) had a game-high three RBIs each. Sarah Boyda (Oxford, Mass./Oxford) finished with two RBIs on 1-for-4 batting.

Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, Mass./Tantasqua) and Emily Nugent (Worcester, Mass./Doherty) each stole bases in game one. Boykin and Boyda stole bases in the second game.

Kara Donovan (Woburn, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and Alissa Michaud (Beverly, Mass./Beverly) were caught stealing by Anna Maria's Dominique Marchand (Mendon, Mass./Nipmuc Regional).

On the mound, Nicole Hackenson (Mendon, Mass./Nipmuc Regional) pitched seven innings in game two, allowed three hits, had one walk, struck-out two, and faced 24 Regis College batters.

Regis College will host Fitchburg State (April 12) in non-conference action at 4:00 PM. Anna Maria College will host Wentworth (April 14) in TCCC play.