Norton, Mass. -- The Wheaton College softball team opened its 2021 season with a sweep of Emerson College in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Clark Field. The Lyons took game one by a 15-1 score and game two by a 2-0 final.

With the victories, Wheaton improved to 2-0 overall and to 2-0 in the league, while Emerson dropped to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in NEWMAC action.

Game One: Wheaton 15, Emerson 1

In the opener, Katelyn Barton (Andover, Mass.) went 3-for-3 with three RBI and scored four runs, while Lindsay Whittles (Hopkinton, Mass.) went 2-for-3 with five RBI and scored twice powering the Lyons to a 15-1 victory. Sarah Pritchard (Malta, N.Y.) picked up the win in the circle for Wheaton as she allowed just one run and struck out four in five innings.

Wheaton scored in each of its four offensive innings in game one and went ahead 4-0 in the first. In the opening inning, Barton roped a two-run double to the gap, moved to third on the throw and scored on a groundout by Whittles, while a single up the middle plated Lindsey Oliveira (Westport, Mass.). 

In the second, Allicyn Cole (Douglas, Mass.) and Riley Benedetto (Jupiter, Fla.) scored on a single by Whittles, while Barton scored Wheaton's seventh run on a sac fly. Another hit by Pritchard made it 7-0 in favor of the hosts. The Lyons exploded for five more in the third inning highlighted by an RBI single by Barton and a two run single by Whittles. Additionally, Barton came around on an infield error by the visitors.

Wheaton plated two in the fourth on wild pitches and went into the fifth up 15-0. Emerson scored its lone run of the game on an RBI double by Mallory Shofi in the fifth inning.

Game Two: Wheaton 2, Emerson 0

After two scoreless innings, the Lyons plated a run in the bottom of the third. With one out, Barton was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI double to center by Whittles. 

Trailing by one in the top of the fifth, Emerson threatened with the bases loaded after two hits and a walk, but Wheaton starter Emma Candelaria (Hampton Bays, N.Y.) struck out Mary Kuczkowski ending the frame with the hosts still up 1-0.

Wheaton added an insurance run in the fifth as Barton, who walked to begin the inning, scored on a groundout after advancing to second on a wild pitch and to third on a passed ball.

Emerson brought the winning run to the plate in the top of the seventh, but Candelaria got Lindsey Lowe to groundout ending the game. Candelaria picked up her first win of the spring as she pitched a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts.

Cole and Whittles both registered one hit apiece for the Lyons in the nightcap.

Wheaton (2-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) will return to action on Saturday, March 27 with a NEWMAC doubleheader at Clark University. First pitch is slated for noon.

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