PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Sophomore starting pitcher Peyton Blankenheim-Brown (Rio Linda, Calif.) allowed just two runs on six hits in a complete game victory to lead the Wheaton College (Mass.) softball team over host Johnson & Wales University this afternoon in game two of a doubleheader to gain a split at Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex in Providence, R.I.
The Lyons have won four of their last five and improve to 8-9 on the season, while the Wildcats fall to 6-10.
Wheaton scored the first three runs of the game, including two in the top of the fifth inning to take a 3-0 lead. JWU's only runs came in the sixth when it made it a one-run game with a pair of runs. The Lyons tacked on an insurance run in the seventh to take a 4-2 lead.
Blakenheim-Brown earned her first collegiate win to improve to 1-2 and struck out six batters, while issuing two walks in seven innings for Wheaton. She helped her own cause at the plate, reaching four times with a single and three walks, while scoring a run. First year shortstop Ella Molinari (Grafton, Mass.) was 2-3 with a double, a run batted in and a run scored to pace the Lyons' bats, while sophomore first base Lily Platt (Hallowell, Maine) was 1-3 with an RBI. First year second base Taylor Barry (Hadley, Mass.) collected a single in three at-bats and scored a run.
Junior center fielder Caroline Amorelli (Winslow, N.J.) and sophomore designated player Mady Lyons (Prior Lake, Minn.) each knocked in a run and singled in three at-bats for the Wildcats. Senior shortstop Julia Huzi (Trumbull, Conn.) was 2-4 with a double and a run scored and first year catcher Macy Pagano (Port Murray, N.J.) contributed with a single and a walk. Junior starting pitcher Mackenzie Clee (Warminster, Pa.) was saddled with the loss to drop to 0-4 after allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and five walks to go with a strikeout in four and two-thirds innings of work.
Wheaton got on the board in the top of the second when Blakenheim-Brown worked a lead-off walk and later went to third on a fielder's choice from sophomore catcher Riley Dolan (Coram, N.Y.). Blankenheim-Brown scored the first run when Dolan was caught on the back end of a double steal.
The Lyons increased their margin to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the fifth after taking advantage of a pair of JWU errors. Junior center fielder Juliette Zito (Woodbridge, Conn.) reached on an infield error, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch to set up Molinari. The rookie delivered with an RBI single through the left side to plate Zito and double Wheaton's lead to 2-0. The Lyons later loaded the bases with two outs, before Platt laced a single through the left side to drive in Barry, who had also reached on an error.
The Wildcats cut the deficit to a run with a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the sixth. Huzi ripped a double down the left field line and came around to score when Amorelli singled through the left side to make it 3-1. Amorelli advanced to second on the play and Lyons took advantage with a run-scoring single to center to plate Amorelli with the second JWU run.
The Lyons added an insurance run in the seventh to give them a two-run lead. Molinari doubled and Barry followed with a single to open the frame and put runners on the corners with no outs for Wheaton. Senior third base Lindsey Oliveira (Westport, Mass.) later followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Molinari with the fourth run.
The Lyons return to play on Friday, April 5 when they host New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference foe Smith College for a 3:00 p.m. twinbill, while the Wildcats host Regis College (Mass.) for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader on April 6 at 12:00 p.m.
