Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

BOSTON -- Sydnee Bessler fanned 16 batters from the circle while driving in five runs on offense as the University of New England cruised to wins of 9-1 (5 innings) and 10-1 (5 innings) against Wentworth Institute of Technology in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 28) at Carr Diamond.

Seeing their first action in 12 days, the Nor'easters move to 7-5 on the year (2-0 CCC) with a sixth triumph in the last seven outings. Big Blue has now captured 17 straight meetings with the Leopards (2-10, 0-2 CCC).

The two complete-game victories for Bessler increase her season total to seven in 10 starts.

UNE took advantage of four WIT errors during the top of the 2nd inning in GAME 1 (UNE 9-1). Caty Flagg and Bessler plated runs to help the visitors grab a 4-0 lead.

The Nor'easters then tacked on five more in the 4th. Bessler knocked in both Caroline Schoenbucher and Avery Alberghini with a double, and Alexis Kapsambelis singled home Bessler. Flagg soon followed with a two-RBI single as the cushion grew to 9-0.

Of the five Wentworth batters to reach first base safely against Bessler, three loaded the bases in the 5th before a groundout put a run on the board. The UNE hurler surrendered three hits and struck out nine in the contest.

Flagg and Kapsambelis paced the lineup with two hits; Kapsambelis and Schoenbucher each touched home twice.

Kayla DeMedeiros was charged with five earned runs in the loss for the Leopards.

UNE got right to work in the 1st frame of GAME 2 (UNE 10-1), and an RBI-double by Andrea Gosper set the margin at 4-0.

Deanna DiPilato got one back for the hosts in their first at-bat, driving a double that scored Emily Winter.

In the 2nd, Schoenbucher scored for a second time on a repeat bases-loaded groundout by Sarah Lachapelle. Bessler put her bat to good use, once again, in the UNE 4th, as a triple scored a pair to make it 7-1. Meg Harvey wasted little time sending Bessler home for a second time with a double on the ensuing play, and two more runs in the 5th put the visitors over the top.

Bessler and Alberghini each recorded two hits for the Nor'easters, who received three runs scored from Schoenbucher.

Brionna Myers took the setback in the circle for Wentworth. Winter was matched by Megan Berryman with two hits.

Next up: UNE will head for Curry College and a league twinbill on Tuesday (3 p.m.).