FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 1, 2008

RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE SWEEPS BEARS
Neece Helps Anchorwomen Raise Win Streak to 11

Providence, RI—The Rhode Island College softball team swept a doubleheader from Bridgewater State on a rainy afternoon at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex. RIC blanked the Bears, 4-0, in game one and came from behind to win game two, 5-4. The Anchorwomen have won 11 straight games and have yet to lose since returning from the Rebel Spring Games.

In the first game of the twinbill, Rhode Island College (16-4) sophomore designated player Cassy Taverna (Bedford, MA) led off the bottom of the second with a double and scored on freshman second baseman Amanda Perry’s (New Bedford, MA) follow-up RBI triple. Freshman center fielder Donielle Mattoon (Coventry, RI) walked with two down, stole second and later scored on sophomore shortstop Kelsey Souza’s (Braintree, MA) RBI single.

RIC scored two more in the third frame as sophomore right fielder Michelle Perrin (Saugus, MA) led off with a three-bagger and scored on freshman catcher Kayla Jandreau’s (Plainville, CT) follow-up RBI double. With one down, Jandreau stole third and later scored on Bridgewater State (5-9) sophomore starting pitcher Jillian Vancelette’s (Charlton City, MA) wild pitch.

Rhode Island College freshman pitcher Melanie Neece (Westfield, MA) recorded her eighth win of the season, allowing just three hits, while striking out two, while registering her second shutout. Vancelette took the loss (1-4), allowing four runs on six hits, while striking out three.

The Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top the second inning of game two, as RIC sophomore starter Jenna Deveines (Lowville, NY) was forced to leave the contest after just 1.2 innings after sustaining an injury. After Deveines set down the first five batters she faced, the Bears loaded the bases on two straight hits by junior designated player Stacy Capodiece (East Lyme, CT) and  senior catcher Lindsey Allison (South Easton, MA) and a walk by junior second baseman Rachel Sprague (Duxbury, MA). Junior shortstop Melissa McNamara (Stoughton, MA) plated two runs with an RBI single up the middle, which brought Neece back to the pitching circle for the Anchorwomen to curb the threat.

Bridgewater State picked up two more runs in the third as sophomore right fielder Meghan Noyes (Stoughton, MA) and junior center fielder Allie LeBlanc (Somerset, MA) each picked up doubles, putting runners on second and third with two down. Capodiece was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Allison followed with a two-run single to left field.

RIC got back into the game in the fourth as Jandreau notched a one-out single and scored on Perry’s two-out, RBI double to left field off of BSC junior starting pitcher Alyssa Verronneau (Acushnet, MA). Freshman left fielder Chelsi Panarelli (Shrewsbury, MA) followed by hitting a 3-2 pitch over the right field fence for her second homer of the season to pull the Anchorwomen within one, 4-3.

The game was halted due to heavy rain for 15 minutes before play resumed in the top of the fifth.  The Anchorwomen came out on fire to take the lead, 5-4, in the home half of the frame as Souza singled and later scored on a throwing error and Jandreau plated Perrin with an RBI single. Neece settled down after the third to earn her ninth (9-1) win of the season, striking out BSC senior second baseman Nicole Hebert (Taunton, MA) with the tying run on third to end the contest. Verronneau suffered the loss (3-3).

On the day, Neece hurled 12.1 innings, allowing just two runs on eight hits, while striking out eight. Jandreau went 4-for-6 with two runs scored, two RBI and a double. Perry went 3-for-5 with one run scored, two RBI, a double and one triple.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Keene State on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m.

-Complete box score to follow-