Pitching, Defense Spark Softball Sweep of SUNY Poly

The Wells College softball team played excellent defense behind solid pitching and swept a doubleheader against SUNY Polytechnic Institute on Sunday, April 9 at the Wells Turf Field in Aurora, N.Y. Wells took the opening game 3-1, and used a single run in the bottom of the sixth inning of the second game to win 1-0.

Wells improved to 3-9 overall and 3-5 in the NEAC. SUNY Poly is 5-9 overall and 0-4 in the conference. Wells won three of four games on the weekend. The Express continues NEAC action Tuesday, April 11 at Penn College for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.

Wells 3, SUNY Poly 1

Wells took the opening game of the day behind the pitching of Naomi Kubo. She worked seven strong innings, and allowed just one first-inning run. She had three strikeouts, walked none, and scattered seven hits.

The Express took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Autumn McLain singled to start the inning and scored on a fielder's choice ground ball from Naomi Kubo. Clara DiMino scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

Wells added an insurance run in the fifth when Baylee Pearce singled up the middle to bring in Sydney Cullen.

McLain and Pearce had two hits each. Cullen tripled and Lizzie Monnat hit a double.

Wells 1, SUNY Poly 0

Baylee Pearce pitched a complete-game shutout for Wells. She allowed just four hits, all singles, with six strikeouts and one walk.

The game's lone run came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Jessica Conover singled to right field with two outs to bring home Sydney Cullen. Pearce closed out the victory in the top of the seventh with a three-up, three-down half-inning to give Wells the sweep.

Six different players had one hit each for Wells.