TEAM RECORDS: Albertus Magnus (29-14) | Norwich (15-25)
Providence, R.I. – The Albertus Magnus College softball team defeated Norwich University, 15-5, in six innings on Saturday afternoon as part of the double elimination portion of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament. Following the win, the Falcons will face Saint Joseph's of Maine in game 10 at 8 p.m.
WINNING PITCHER: Laura Anderson (13-5) – 6 IP | 7H | 5R | 2BB | 4SO
LOSING PITCHER: Rachel Johnson (10-9) – 4.1 P | 10H | 11R | 6BB | 4SO | 1HR
HOW IT HAPPENED
(B) 1st INNING – Norwich jumped on the board first scoring five runs on four hits to take the early 5-0 edge over the Falcons.
(T) 2ND INNING – Juniors Gillian Fortier (Naugatuck, Conn.) and Melissa Castillo (Taftville, Conn.) brought the Falcons to within three, 5-2, in the top of the second as both infielders recorded a run score on a double and a single, respectively.
With one out and Aliza Esposito (East Haven, Conn.) on first, Fortier would hit a deep ball down the left field sending Esposito home before Fortier scored on a two-out sinlge up the middle from Castillo.
(T) 5TH INNING – Bats came alive for the Falcons in the top of the fifth as the visitors drove in nine runs, including a grand slam from Daysia Wehder (Queens, N.Y.), on seven hits and a Cadets' error to take the lead for the first time, 11-5.
With no outs and bases loaded, Wehder would give the Falcons the 6-5 edge over Norwich as the catcher hit a grand slam over the left field fence, for her sixth home run of the season. Senior Megan Kelly (Bronx, N.Y.) continued the rally with a two-run RBI single as well as an error by the shortstop, but Fortier would ground out to second for the first out of the inning. Up 9-5, Norwich's Rachel Johnson would load the bases for a second time this inning and allow the ninth run to score on walk. Catuadella allowed the final run of the inning to score on a two-out RBI single up the middle.
(T) 6th INNING – Abertus Magnus put the game away in the top of the sixth as the Falcons scored four runs on four hits and two errors to make the final score, 15-5.
INSIDE THE STATS
- Fortier, Castillo and Kelly led the Falcons' offense with three hits as well as two runs scored.
- Wehder recorded a team-high four RBI while going 1-of-4 at the plate.
- Justina George went 2-of-3 at the plate for the Cadets.
- Norwich recorded seven hits, four RBI, two walks and four strikeouts.
