KRISTYN ALEXANDER BREAKS CAREER RBI MARK
Anchorwomen Raise Win Streak to 19

WESTFIELD, MA–Rhode Island College senior catcher Kristyn Alexander (East Wareham, MA) became the softball program's all-time leader in career RBI in the Anchorwomen's sweep of Westfield State, 6-1, and 4-2, this afternoon. The team raised the program's longest consecutive win streak to 19 games as RIC improves its overall record to 24-2.

Rhode Island College senior pitcher Nicole Riley (North Providence, RI) earned her 18th victory of the season and extended her NCAA Division III consecutive win streak to 41 games, surpassing the Division II standard set (40) by Kim Maguire of Bloomsburg in 1993. The senior right-hander did not allow an earned run, struck out seven batters, while allowing five hits in the first game victory. 

Westfield State (14-9) took the early advantage with its lone run of the afternoon, but the Anchorwomen responded with three runs on four hits in the third inning as the Owls would not get any closer. Freshman right fielder Michelle Perrin (Saugus, MA) keyed the surge with a two-run single.The visitors added a run in the following inning on a junior first base Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) RBI double, while classmate third baseman Krystal Bilek (Fitchburg, MA) blasted a two-run homer in the fifth to give Riley plenty of insurance. Bilek went 2-for-4 from the plate with three RBI’s, while Lotti was 2-for-4.

In the nightcap, Rhode Island College found itself in an unusual position—trailing by two runs in the latter stages of the game. The Anchorwomen turned to a pair of veterans to lead the comeback cry. Lotti opened the sixth with a single, and scored on Alexander's one-out, two-run homer that bounced off the top of the left field fence and into the trees to forge a 2-all tie. It was Alexander’s second home run of the season, raising her RBI total to 19 and surpassed Michele Fanelli's '03 previous standard of 78. She added an additional RBI later in the game to bring her career total to 80.

Rhode Island College finished the come-from-behind victory in the top of the seventh inning. Sophomore left fielder Kelli McCartin (Cranston, RI) singled to right-center field with one out, while junior shortstop Jeanne Rosa (Milford, CT) followed suit with a single to left field. Lotti reached on a fielder’s choice, but stole second to place runners at second and third with two outs. Perrin delivered the game-winning hit with a two-run single down the left field line.

Freshman starting pitcher Jamie Sacco (Bellingham, MA) allowed five hits and one walk, while striking out four, to earn third victory of the campaign (3-2).

Rhode Island College returns to action at 1 p.m. on April 21, when the Anchorwomen host Plymouth State for a Little East Conference doubleheader at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex.

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