FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 29, 2008

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE SOFTBALL COLLARS HUSKIES
Anchorwomen Slug Their Way to Doubleheader Sweep

Providence, RI—The Rhode Island College softball team raised their current win streak to nine games in a doubleheader sweep of Little East Conference rival Southern Maine on a cold Saturday afternoon at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex. RIC took game one, 14-0 in five innings, while pulling away late in game two to take a 20-7 victory.

The Anchorwomen improve their record to 14-4 overall and open the Little East circuit with a 2-0 mark. The Huskies see their record fall to 5-7 overall and 0-2 in league action.

Rhode Island College wasted no time jumping on Southern Maine, plating four runs on four hits, all of which came with two out, in the first inning of game one. Sophomore designated player Cassy Taverna (Bedford, MA) opened the scoring with a two-out, two-run home run (1) to left field. RIC added three runs in the third and another in the fourth before pouring it on in the fifth. Senior pinch hitter Krystal Bilek (Fitchburg, MA) notched a bases loaded RBI single, which was followed by freshman pinch hitter Chelsi Panarelli’s (Shrewsbury, MA) grand slam homer (1), the first long ball of her career. Freshman pitcher Melanie Neece (Westfield, MA) cruised to her seventh (7-1) win of the season, allowing just two hits, while striking out five. Southern Maine senior starting pitcher Kristina Grondin (Sanford, ME) went the distance and took the loss (2-1).

Game two looked to be over in five innings as well with the Anchorwomen taking a 10-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth frame. The Huskies plated two runs to prolong the contest on Grondin’s two-out, two-RBI double. USM tacked on three runs in the following frame to cut the deficit to just four runs, 10-6. Sophomore right fielder India Lowe (Gloucester, MA) notched a two-run single as part of the comeback.

The Anchorwomen were not to be denied as they plated 10 runs on five hits, while capitalizing on two USM errors, in the top of the seventh. Sophomore pitcher Jenna Deveines (Lowville, NY) picked up her seventh (7-2) win, throwing four innings, allowing just one run on four hits, while striking out three. USM sophomore pitcher Larissa O’Connor (Farmington, ME) took the loss (1-5).

RIC senior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) went 7-for-10 on the day with six runs scored, a double, one triple and a stolen base. Freshman second baseman Amanda Perry (New Bedford, MA) went 7-for-8 with six runs scored and two doubles.

Freshman Amanda Perry

In the two wins, RIC scored 34 runs on 33 hits, while stranding 19 runners on base. Southern Maine was the home team in both contests, as the doubleheader was moved to Providence due to the Huskies unplayable field.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Bridgewater State on Tuesday, Apr. 1 at 3:30 p.m.

-Complete box score to follow-