NEWPORT, R.I. – Wellesley College softball improved to 6-4 in NEWMAC competition by taking two games over Salve Regina University at Toppa Field. The Blue (13-8 Overall) recorded 25 hits between the games against the Seahawks (3-21 Overall, 0-10 NEWMAC).

Game 1 | Wellesley 6, Salve Regina 3 | Final

Wellesley opened the scoring in its first at-bat when first-year Brooklyn Awad (Montclair, N.J.) doubled home senior Andrea Delgado (Miami, Fla.).

Salve Regina answered in their half of the first on a sac fly by Gracie Keyes (Portsmouth, R.I.). 

The Blue plated four runs in the third for a 5-1 advantage. Awad got things going again with an RBI single that scored Delgado. Awad then scored on a double by junior Jill Colgan (Las Vegas, Nev.) who then came around on a single by senior Emeline Gaunce (Palo Alto, Calif.). Gaunce scored Wellesley's fifth run after a Seahawks miscue. 

The home team did get one back in the bottom of the third to make the score 5-2. Abby Merck (Lorton, Va.) singled in Taylor Ferraiolo (Madison, Conn.). 

Junior Anisa Rodriguez (La Quinta, Calif.) put the Blue on top 6-2 in the fifth with an RBI double that scored Gaunce.

Salve Regina added an unearned run in the sixth to pull within 6-3, but that would be the final score. 

Colgan threw a complete game for the Blue with two earned runs on six hits and six strikeouts.

Gaunce led the Blue batters with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate. The team finished with 13 hits as four other batters recorded two hits. 

Game 2 | Wellesley 9, Salve Regina 2 | Final

The Seahawks struck first with two runs in the bottom of the second. An Emma Ploude (Stratham, N.H.) infield hit brought in junior Emily Cronin (Coventry, R.I.) for the first run. A sacrifice fly by sophomore Skyla Oliviera (Smithfield, R.I.) supplied the second tally.

Wellesley countered by tying it up at 2-2 in the third. An error at third base allowed for the first run when sophomore Brynne Mellady (Marriottsville, Md.) crossed the plate. Later a wild pitch tied the contest up as Colgan came in to score.

The Blue put itself in front with three runs in the fifth. Junior Alena Mulhern (Kingston, Mass.) tripled to start the frame. Delgado brought the junior in with an RBI single. Delgado and Awad later scored on a two-run single to center by Gaunce.

A Mulhern single to left-center in the sixth brought home Mellady and upped Wellesley's lead to 6-2.

Wellesley added a trio of insurance runs in the seventh. Junior Anisa Rodriguez (La Quinta, Calif.) doubled in Colgan. An error allowed first-year Jailey Polski (Boise, Idaho) to advance home. A Mellady grounder brought in junior Giana Jones (Fairfield, Calif.).

Sophomore Bella Hassett (North Granby, Conn.) started for Wellesley, going two innings with two runs allowed. Junior Sarah Wicker (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) came in to earn the win with five innings of relief. Wicker allowed four baserunners while setting down four batters on strikes.

Senior Caroline Peterson (Halifax, Mass.) went the distance in the circle for Salve Regina, striking out one along the way.

The Blue will play at MIT on Friday, April 17 for a 3 & 5 PM doubleheader. The Seahawks welcome University of Southern Maine at 3 & 5 PM on Tuesday, April 14.