March 28, 2009

Box Score

WILLIMANTIC, CT - Junior centerfielder Ashley Sullivan (Trumbull, CT) had four hits, scored four runs and drove in three as the Eastern Connecticut State University softball team opened its Little East Conference and home seasons with a 15-0, 4-0 doubleheader sweep of the University of Massachusetts Boston Saturday afternoon at Howard Spector Field. UMass Boston fell to 3-11 overall and 0-2 in LEC play.

Ranked in a tie for third in New England, Eastern (8-4, 2-0 little east) scored ten runs in the first inning of the opener on ten walks, seven wild pitches and three hit batsmen in a game stopped after the Beacons batted in the fifth inning due to the eight-run rule.

Sullivan had two hits in each game and also reached three times on walks. Junior shortstop Kim Church (Farmington, CT) was 3-for-4 in the doubleheader with two RBI and two runs.

In the opener, freshman righty Molly Rathbun (Hebron, CT) pitched a complete-game one-hitter to gain her seventh win in eight outings this season. Sophomore first baseman Elisa LaRoche (Westford, MA) singled for UMass Boston in the first game. Rathbun also closed out the second game with two hitless innings in relief of right-handed starter Katie Pensiero (Stamford, CT) for her first save. Pensiero, making her first appearance of the season after missing the spring trip due to illness, allowed three hits over the first five innings while fanning three and walking two for her first win of the season. Sophomore left fielder Christina Polsonetti (Revere, MA), senior designated player Courtney Haroules (Littleton, MA) and junior right fielder Amanda Cianciulli (Billerica, MA) each singled in the second game for the Beacons. Freshman pitcher Kara Willis (Burrillville, RI) allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits and two walks, while striking out four in six innings of work for UMB.

Eastern hosts Springfield College Wednesday at 3:30 p.m., while the Beacons host Lasell College in doubleheader action on Tuesday, at 3:00 p.m.