BABSON PARK, Mass. – First year starting pitcher Amber Arcand (Millville, Mass.) drove in a pair of runs at the plate and allowed just two runs in seven complete innings from the circle to lead the Wheaton College (Mass.) softball team to a 7-2 victory in game two to gain a doubleheader split with host Babson College this evening in New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference play at Alumni Field in Babson Park, Mass. 

The Lyons improve to 13-5 overall and 3-1 in league play, while the Beavers fall to 12-10 and 2-2.

Wheaton scored four times in the second and added three more runs in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead and never looked back. Babson scored single runs in the fourth and seventh innings. The visitors collected eight hits and took advantage of four Babson errors, while limiting the Beavers to just four runs in both games combined.

Arcand was 2-3 with a run scored and a walk at the dish and gave up just five hits and a walk to go with five strikeouts to earn the win for the Lyons and improve to 6-1 on the season. Sophomore right fielder Jillian Rohon (Southington, Conn.) was 2-3 with a run scored and worked one of seven walks issued by Beaver pitching on the day. First year designated player Ashlyn Burt (Olathe, Kan.) collected two singles in three at-bats and added a walk and a run scored, while sophomore center fielder Juliette Zito (Woodbridge, Conn.) knocked in a run and also singled for Wheaton.

Senior shortstop Lexi Morris (Lexington, Mass.) led Babson, going 2-3 with a double, while senior catcher Kate Karamouzis (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) was 1-2 with a walk and a run scored and sophomore right fielder Sara Moore (Kennett Square, Pa.) hit a run-scoring single. First year starting pitcher Natasha Taubenheim (Westport, Conn.) was saddled with the loss to dip to 2-4 after giving up four runs (two earned) on two hits and six bases on balls in two innings.

Arcand was the catalyst for the Lyons offensive outburst, producing a two-run single to center field with the bases loaded to give Wheaton a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. The Lyons loaded the bases when Rohon opened the frame with a walk, Burt reached on a fielder's choice and junior left fielder Allison Weston (West Islip, N.Y.) drew a walk to bring the sacks full with no outs. The Beavers were able to get a force out at the plate, but were unable to contain Arcand in the batter's box. Zito reached on a fielder's choice to plate another run and junior shortstop Lindsey Oliveira (Westport, Mass.) contributed with a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home the Lyons' fourth run.

Wheaton tacked on three more runs in the fourth to increase its cushion to 7-0 when it took advantage of a pair of Babson errors and a wild pitch. Zito led off the frame with a single to right field and junior second base Bryanna Agan (Averill Park, N.Y.) reached on an error to put the runners on the corners with no outs. The Beavers looked to escape without any damage after getting the next two outs, but Rohon reached on a fielder's choice, combined with an error and both runners scored to give the visitors a 6-0 margin. Rohon later scampered home on a wild pitch for the Lyons' seventh run of the ballgame.

Babson hoped for a big inning in the bottom of the frame when it loaded the bases with no outs, but Arcand came up with the pitches she needed to get out of the inning, allowing just one run. Karamouzis drew a leadoff walk, before first year center fielder Sophia Pak (New Rochelle, N.Y.) and Morris each singled to load the bases without an out. Junior first base Chloe Joslin (Wyoming, R.I.) reached on a fielder's choice, with Wheaton electing for the double play try, and Karamouzis scored the first Beaver run. Arcand struck out the next batter and ended the threat with a fly out to left field. 

Babson managed to score just one more run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-2. Junior designated player Molly Hennessey (Tallahassee, Fla.) was hit by a pitch and Moore later delivered a two-out RBI single to left field for the home team's second run, but Arcand induced a flyout to secure the victory for the Lyons.

Wheaton returns to action tomorrow when it hosts NEWMAC rival Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a noon twinbill at the Clark Softball Field, while the Beavers host Smith College tomorrow at the same time.