Lady AMCATS split doubleheader, earn first GNAC Win

PAXTON, Mass. (03.24.13) – Anna Maria College earned a split of Sunday's Great Northeast Athletic Conference softball doubleheader with Emmanuel College at the Rotch Field in Boston. The AMCATS (2-10, 1-1 GNAC) dropped game one to the Saints (4-8, 1-1 GNAC) 7-4 in seven innings, but rallied with three runs in the sixth inning to earn a 5-4 win in the nightcap. The win in game two was the first GNAC softball win for Anna Maria since joining the conference in 2011.

Game 1: Emmanuel 7 Anna Maria 3

The Saints struck first platting a run in the top of the second with a double steal and added a second run with a Kelly Lloid (Issaquah, WA) RBI single to centerfield to hold a 2-0 lead after two innings. Anna Maria responded in the bottom of the fourth, sophomore Nichole Lowe (Saugus, MA) began the frame with a walk and then swiped second base. Next, freshman Elizabeth Haggerty (Charlton, MA) walked and with one out third-baseman Samantha Miller (Dudley, MA) reached on a fielders' choice. With AMCATS' on first and second and two outs, freshman Lindsay Bond (Webster, MA) deposited a Lloid pitch over the centerfield fence for a 3-run home run to give Anna Maria the 3-2 advantage after four complete.

In the top of the fifth inning, Emmanuel was able to capitalize on AMCAT miscues. With a pair of Saints on the bases, Lloid delivered what would be the game-winning hit with a double to left center that scored two runs and then came home on an Alexandra Bressette (North Easton, MA)2-bagger to centerfield. The Saint had turned a 1-run deficit to a two run lead (5-3) after five innings.

Emmanuel would add a pair of insurance runs in the top of the sixth for the 7-3 final. Senior Kelly Lloid went the distance for her second win of the season, allowing just one hit while striking out four AMCATS. Freshman Angela Vousboukis (Swampscott, MA) took the loss after reliving Nichole Lowe on the bump after four and two-thirds innings.

Game 2: Emmanuel 4 Anna Maria 5

After opening the game with two scoreless innings the Saints one again struck first. Freshman Jenna Marcello (Hopedale, MA) drilled a home run to left field with one out in the third inning, however AMC answered right back in the bottom of the inning. Senior Tabitha Ruggeri (Sturbridge, MA)pasted a double to left center scoring freshman Kayla Lapierre (Worcester, MA), who had opened the inning with a walk, to tie the game at 1-all.

Emmanuel put three more runs on the board in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by a Marcello sacrifice fly.

Trailing 4-1, the AMCATS chipped away at the lead. Lowe delivered an RBI thru the left side to score freshman Makayla Leite (South Easton, MA) who had a pinch-hit single to lead off the inning, to cut the lead to 4-2 after five complete innings.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth AMC's Cristina Turley (Waterford, CT) belted a triple to right center field. Now it was Anna Maria's turn to convert Emmanuel miscues. Turley would score an unearned run on the next play and two more AMCATS would cross the plate before the inning was over. At the end of six, Anna Maria held a 5-4 lead.

The Saints would not go down quietly, with two out Kelly Lloid would single to right field and would be replaced on the base pads by speedster Aimee Sanford (Billerica, MA). The next batter Jennifer Garrity would stroke a single into right field that would be bobbled by AMC's Lapierre, the right fielder would hesitate a minute then fire a strike to Tabby Ruggeri at the plate to throw out Sanford and seal the win.

Anna Maria pitcher Angela Vousboukis went the distance to get her first collegiate win.

Anna Maria returns to GNAC action on Wednesday evening when the travel to Rotch Field, Boston, MA again to take on Emerson College at 6:00pm. Anna Maria will bat as the home team.