Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

BRISTOL, R.I. -- Caroline Schoenbucher hit a two-run home run in the top of the 7th to give the University of New England a 3-1 win over Roger Williams University in the opener of Saturday's (Apr. 7) Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball doubleheader at Paolino Field, and UNE carried that momentum into the second game, rolling to a 12-1 victory (5 innings) later in the afternoon.

The Nor'easters (9-5) have come out on top of eight in their last nine, and now stand at 4-0 in CCC play. The Hawks drop back to 2-16 overall and 1-5 in league action.

Sydnee Bessler picked up the pitching decision in both contests, upping her season total to nine victories, which match the most during the last six years of the program.

With one on and one away in the 7th of GAME 1 (UNE 3-1), Schoenbucher drove her second hit of the game over the fence in left to break up at 1-all tie.

Bessler surrendered a lead-off single to Roger Williams in the bottom of the frame, but shut down the next three to end it. She finished with eight strikeouts.

Both sides scored in the 3rd, starting with a two-out single by Sam Dreissig that knocked in Avery Alberghini from second base (after her second hit). RWU answered right back with three one-out hits; singles from Haley Ledbetter and Alyssa Murray set the stage for a Tara Chatowsky RBI-double. The Hawks drew their only walk to fill the bases, but couldn't get any more.

Murray took the loss in the circle for the hosts.

The Nor'easters poured it on at the beginning of GAME 2 (UNE 12-1), plating six runs before Roger Williams got a chance to bat. It became 8-1 in the 2nd and extended to the final tally with four more in the 5th inning.

Sarah Lachapelle, Melissa Jakubowski, and Dreissig all had two-RBI singles for UNE. Lachapelle and Jakubowski totaled three RBI apiece, while Lachapelle and Alberghini both had two hits. Lachapelle, Alberghini, Schoenbucher, and Alexis Kapsambelis all touched home plate a couple times.

Bessler whiffed six more RWU batters from the rubber, and did not concede any free passes.

For the Hawks, Alexis Romano plated Ledbetter with a single in the last half of the 1st frame. Both notched two hits. Rachel Wandzilak was charged with the pitching setback.

Next up: UNE will stay in Rhode Island to visit Salve Regina University on Sunday (12 p.m.).