Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The University of New England softball team secured a 2-1 victory over Western New England University in the nightcap of a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) doubleheader on Friday (Apr. 19) at Golden Bear Park. The hosts took the opener by an 8-3 spread.

With the results, the Nor'easters (21-12, 10-4 CCC) maintain their hold on the second line in the league standings, two games clear of the next closest teams. UNE will look to solidify its spot in the conference finale next Saturday against Roger Williams University (6-6 CCC).

The Golden Bears settle the day at 18-12 overall and 8-6 in CCC outings.

The visiting squad struck for both its runs in GAME 2 (UNE 2-1) during the 3rd inning. Alexis Kapsambelis singled and stole second, before advancing on a groundout. Avery Alberghini followed with a bunt single and steal, and Taylor Depot put down a squeeze bunt to plate Kapsambelis. Meg Harvey padded the advantage with a single that drove in Alberghini.

Melissa Sprague carried a one-hitter into the bottom of the 7th, when WNEU's Jamie Cookingham -- who recorded that one hit (double) -- worked a 10-pitch lead-off walk. Dina DiBlasio fouled off six straight pitches prior to singling up the middle, bringing the potential go-ahead run to the dish. Sydnee Bessler stepped into a save situation for the Nor'easters, but an RBI-single up the middle by Paige Uliase immediately cut the margin in half. However, a strikeout, sacrifice bunt, and flyout sealed the triumph while stranding two in scoring position.

Sprague finished with eight strikeouts in the win. Alberghini accounted for half of UNE's six hits with a 3-for-3 performance, increasing her season average to .542 to go along with 36 stolen bases.

Uliase fanned six without issuing any walks in the losing effort.

Cookingham powered the Golden Bears in GAME 1 (WNEU 8-3), amassing six runs batted in -- two on each of her three hits. She had home runs in both the 1st (2-0) and 3rd (5-1), before a double capped the scoring in the 4th.

Aimee Kistner struck out eight in the positive decision for Western New England, including two that stranded UNE runners at second and third during the initial stanza.

The Nor'easters answered Cookingham's second homer with two in the top of the 4th (5-3), starting with a solo shot to right-center off the bat of Andrea Gosper. Then, after reaching with a single, Depot scored on a hit from Hannah Baldyga.

However, the Golden Bears countered right back to expand the gap to five. Allie Buzzeo tallied her second hit and came around to score on an Emily Cooney RBI-single. Cooney and one other touched home on Cookingham's two-out hit later in the frame.

Out of UNE's seven hits, Depot led the way with two. Bessler took the setback, fanning eight in 3.2 innings of work.

Next up: The Nor'easters are slated for a non-conference twinbill at Bowdoin College on Tuesday.