April 14, 2012
Bolduc, Cordon Help Softball Soar Over Wheelock
Leicester, Mass. --- Megan Bolduc (Dover, N.H.) went a combined 3-for-6 with three RBIs and four runs as Becker swept Wheelock in two games, 11-3 and 15-0, in NECC softball action on Saturday at Russell Field. The Hawks of Becker are now 9-18 with a 6-1 conference mark, taking sole possession of third place in the NECC standings. The Wildcats of Wheelock drop to 0-13 and 0-6 in conference.
Game one started well for Wheelock, as Sara Buscemi (Arlington, Mass.) scored from third off a wild pitch in the top of the second to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. It wouldn't hold up, however, as Becker scored three runs in the bottom half in the inning, beginning with an RBI double up the left-field line by Jessica Brochu (Hardwick, Vt.). Melissa Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.) followed up by scoring on a wild pitch and Shawna Drown (Watertown, Tenn.) stole home to give the Hawks the lead for good.
Becker used seven Wheelock errors to help score five unearned runs, and Rhodes was solid in the circle, striking out seven and giving up only two earned runs while scattering four hits over five innings. Talan Barron (Methuen, Mass.) smashed a home run over the left field fence and crossed home plate three times for the Hawks, while Rhodes went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. For the Wildcats, Ashley Quan (Belmont, Mass.) and Jacky Hull (Braintree, Mass.) each had a hit and a run scored in the game.
Game two featured more fireworks from the hosts, as Becker scored three runs in the first, one in the second, six in the third and five in the fourth, all while blanking the visitors. Megan Cordon (Watertown, Conn.) was a force both with her pitching and her hitting, as the freshman struck out nine Wildcats while surrendering only two hits in five innings. Cordon also hit a bases loaded double in the bottom of the third, sending three runs home.
Lauren Lavalle (Millbury, Mass.) walked three times, once with the bases loaded for an RBI, and scored all three times she made it on base. Likewise for Larissa Paula (Lynn, Mass.), who finished with three runs, two RBI, a hit and two walks. Barron finished with two RBI and a run. In a statistical oddity, Becker totaled ten runs in the first three innings despite only being credited with two hits. For Wheelock, Kim Perault (Medford, Mass.) and Molly Rose (Weymouth, Mass.) each managed a hit.
Up next for Becker, the Hawks travel to Daniel Webster on Sunday, April 15th for a conference double-header against the Eagles. Wheelock faces a pair of games at home against the Wildcats of Bay Path, also on Sunday.
