WELLESLEY, Mass. – Wellesley College softball narrowly dropped game one to Babson College, 3-2, before earning a walk-off with an identical scoreline in the second half of a NEWMAC doubleheader on Friday afternoon. The Blue now sit at 12-11-1 Overall, 7-5 NEWMAC on the season while the Beavers are 15-8 Overall, 7-5 NEWMAC.

Game 1 | Babson 3, Wellesley 2 | Final

Down 2-1 in the top of the seventh, Babson sophomore Charlotte Raymond (Wrentham, Mass.) launched a two-run homer to left center that ultimately proved to be the difference maker for Babson. 

The Beavers put the opening run on the board in the fourth when an error allowed sophomore Emily Walsh (Flemington, N.J.) to cross the plate. The Blue answered back in the latter half of the inning. First-year Brynne Mellady (Ellicott City, Md.) singled up the middle, bringing in junior Emeline Gaunce (Los Altos, Calif.). 

Wellesley took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning, courtesy of an RBI single from senior Charis Chung (San Gabriel, Calif.) that scored first year Ruijia Yang (Berwyn, Pa.). That lead held until the top of the seventh when Raymond put Babson back in front.

Graduate student Moira O'Reilly (Columbus, Ohio) pitched a complete game for the visitors, striking out six while surrendering four hits and a walk.

Sophomore Sarah Wicker (Ponte Vedra Beach, Calif.) threw 6.1 innings of three-run ball with four strikeouts and 10 baserunners. Classmate Jill Colgan (Las Vegas, Nev.) struck out one in two thirds of an inning of work.

Game 2 | Wellesley 3, Babson 2 | Final

In game two, it was the Blue who supplied the late game theatrics. Facing a 2-1 deficit in the last half of the seventh with two outs and junior Andrea Delgado (Miami, Fla.) on second, Chung dropped a pivotal single into center field that  tied the game. Colgan would then connect on a single to center, with Chung scoring the walk-off run as the Blue earned the victory.

Babson put a tally on the scoreboard in the top of the second. After a single and a fielder's choice, an error at second base caused first-year Maddy DeLong (Cranford, N.J.) to come home.

The Blue struck back with a run of its own in the bottom of the fourth. Mellady walked and stole second before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt from Yang. A single to center by sophomore Giana Jones (Fairfield, Calif.) drove in Mellady to knot the score at 1-1.

Babson loaded out the bags in the top of the fifth with one out and appeared to be threatening to break the tie open. Mellady snared a line out and beat the runner back to third for a double play, saving the tie with a hard defensive effort.

The Beavers' second run came in the top of the seventh. A fielder's choice with the bases loaded advanced first-year Belle DiCampello (Pottstown, Pa.) home to take the 2-1 lead, setting up the Wellesley comeback.

Colgan tossed six innings of two runs, one earned, with four hits, five walks and four punchouts. Senior Lauren Young (Fresno, Calif.) struck out one in an inning of relief and earned a sixth win of the season.

Graduate student Cameron Whiteford (Centerville, Md.) went all seven innings in the circle for Babson, with three k's and eight baserunners allowed in 6.2 frames.

It's a quick turnaround for both teams with each playing against tomorrow. The Blue will host Senior Day against MIT at 12 & 2 PM. Babson welcomes Emerson College at the same time.