CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Hawks needed just six innings in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader but, in game two, it took extra innings for the Hawks to come away with a sweep of Thursday's doubleheader in New England Collegiate Conference play.
THE BASICS
April 22, 2021
Condon Field
Becker Hawks 9-9 (5-5 NECC)
Elms Blazers 0-8 (0-8 NECC)
GAME ONE: Becker 11 – Elms 1 (Final / 6 Innings)
The opening game of the doubleheader was in Becker's control from the start with RBI singles from sophomore Holly Letourneau (Woonsocket, R.I.) and junior Emily Iacovelli (Northbridge, Mass.) to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead through one inning.
Iacovelli struck again in the top of the third, starting with a two-run double to move the Hawks ahead to a 4-0 lead. She would later score on a wild pitch to give Becker a 5-0 edge.
It was Letourneau's turn again, adding two more runs in the top of the fourth with a two-run single which put the Hawks up 7-0.
The Blazers did break up the shutout in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single by freshman Josie Cammarata (Wolcutt, Conn.) to cut the deficit to 7-1.
But the Hawks shut the door with four runs in the top of the sixth on a two-run single by Letourneau and a two-run double by freshman Kayla Dell'Anno (Medford, Mass.) as the Hawks cruised to an 11-1 victory.
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For Becker, Letourneau batted 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBI. Iacovelli went 2-for-3, including a double, three RBI, and two runs scored. Senior Elizabeth Simonian (Auburn, Mass.) was 1-for-3 with three runs scored and two stolen bases.
For Elms, Cammarata had just the RBI single, finishing 1-for-3. Freshman Mackenzie Alvarado (Plainville, Conn.) went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored.
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Veillette (4-3)
Losing Pitcher: Mackenzie Alvarado (0-1)
GAME TWO: Becker 6 – Elms 4 (Final / 8 Innings)
Unlike the first game ending after the eight-run rule, the Hawks needed extra innings to escape with two road victories on Thursday evening.
After Elms tied it 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh, the Hawks wasted little time scoring runs. With a runner on second and one out, back-to-back RBI doubles by Simonian and Veillette put the Hawks ahead 5-3.
Later in the inning, Becker would add one more run thanks to a Blazers miscue, leading to a 6-3 Hawks edge.
Elms came to bat in the bottom of the eighth and with runners on the corners, a groundball, double-play for the Hawks defense surrendered a run but recorded two outs in the process as Elms trailed 6-4.
The game ended on the next batter, who popped out to the shortstop as the Hawks took the second game of the doubleheader.
Hawks senior Sarah Ellis (Berkley, Mass.) factored in the Hawks first three runs thanks to a two-run home run in the fourth and a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
The Blazers nearly walked off with the victory in the seventh, but a sharp play by Ellis cut down the game-winning run from scoring.
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For Becker, Ellis's home run was her only hit of the game, going 1-for-3 with three RBI. Simonian and Veillette each had two hits, two runs scored, and one RBI.
For Elms, sophomore Ashley Papapietro (Windsor Locks, Conn.) went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Junior Brandi Johnson (Bennington, Vt.) was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Veillette (5-3)
Losing Pitcher: Mackenzie Alvarado (0-2)
