NEW LONDON, Conn. – Wellesley College softball (10-9-1 Overall, 5-3 NEWMAC) scored a 5-1 win in game one of a NEWMAC doubleheader with Coast Guard Academy before the Bears (8-7-1 Overall, 3-3 NEWMAC) took game two, 2-0, at Nitchman Softball Field on Friday.

Game 1 | Wellesley 5, Coast Guard 1 | Final

Sophomore Jill Colgan (Las Vegas, Nev.) started for the Blue, tossing five innings with three strikeouts, six baserunners allowed, and one unearned run. Colgan was rewarded for the effort with a win. Senior Lauren Young (Fresno, Calif.) came in for two scoreless innings of relief with one strikeout and picked up a second career save. 

After two and a half scoreless innings, the Bears put a run on the board in the bottom of the third. Senior Veronica Krystofik (Colchester, Conn.) singled in classmate Natalie Beck (Billings, Mont.) before Colgan settled in and got the third out.

The home team nearly tacked on a second run in the latter half of the fifth inning. First year Hayden Reilly (Prosper, Texas) led off the inning with a double to center field. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt, Reilly was thrown out at the plate by Wellesley sophomore Giana Jones (Fairfield, Calif.). The quick thinking fielding play kept it a 1-0 game through five innings.

The Blue came back to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Alena Mulhern (Kingston, Mass.) led off with a bunt single. Mulhern advanced to second on a single down the left line from senior Charis Chung (San Gabriel, Calif.). Mulhern reached third on a fielder's choice from Colgan and crossed the plate on a sac bunt from first year Brynne Mellady (Ellicott City, Md.). Pinch runner Emily Kulhanek (Newbury, Calif.) later advanced home from second on a single from sophomore Diana Borrison (San Jose, Calif.).

While the Bears put runners on second and third in the bottom of the sixth, Young remained composed and a fly out to center left the Blue unscathed.

Chung gave the visitors a third run in the top of the seventh with an infield hit, bringing in first year Natalie Nicol (Latexo, Texas). Colgan subsequently drove in Chung and Mulhern with a two-run single to left.

Junior Dana Walker (Macon, Ga.) pitched a complete game for Coast Guard, allowing 10 hits and five runs in seven innings while fanning four.

Game 2 | Coast Guard 2, Wellesley 0 | Final

Junior Emma Behel (Ellicott City, Md.) was sharp for Coast Guard in game two, shutting out the Blue across seven innings while allowing three hits, five walks and striking out three.

Wellesley's best scoring chance came in the opening frame. The team loaded the bases, courtesy of two walks and a single to left from sophomore Sarah Wicker (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.). However, a double play including a force out at home was followed by a strikeout which kept the visitors off of the scoreboard.

Behel provided Coast Guard with its initial run in the bottom of the second. The junior hit a sacrifice fly that plated junior Bridget Bartz (Arlington, Va.).

The Bears second run came in the bottom of the fifth. This time, it was a single from sophomore Mack Murnane (Wilmington, N.C.) that caused Krystofik to score.

Wicker pitched the first five innings for Wellesley, allowing two runs (one earned), five hits, two walks and setting down three batters via strikeout. Colgan struck out one in an inning of relief.

The Blue next play at WPI on Sunday, April 13 at 12 & 2 PM. The Bears are off to Emerson College for a 3 & 5 PM doubleheader on Tuesday, April 15.