April 26, 2008

WELLESLEY, Mass. - In game six of the New England Men's and Women's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Softball Tournament, Springfield rode a first-inning home run to a 3-1 win over Babson College. The Pride now advance to the consolation bracket semifinal, where they will face Clark at 4:00 today at Wellesley College, while Babson (21-20) is eliminated from the tournament.

In the top of the first, Springfield's Jessica Hillman (Seymour, Conn.) managed a two-out walk and Michelle Wlosek (Nutley, N.J.) followed with a single to rightcenter. Danielle Spiro (South Windsor, Conn.) then hammered a linedrive over the rightfield fence to give the Pride a 3-0 lead.

Babson got on the board in the sixth inning after Brittney Russo (Middletown, Conn.) reached on an error and Nicole Giuliano (North Reading, Mass.) launched a triple to right center drive in a run.

With a 3-1 lead, Springfield starter Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.) pitched around a hit in the bottom of the seventh to hold on for the win.

Rhodes pitched all seven for the Pride, scattering seven hits and allowing only one run. She struck out three and walked two in the win.

On the mound for Babson, Jess Bryn (Safety Harbor, Fla.) threw seven solid innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five. First-year Jess Winer paced the Beavers' offense with two hits.

NOTE: Taken from a Wellesley College press release.