Statistics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Kaitlin Pettenger connected for a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning to give No.3 Wentworth Institute of Technology a 3-2 decision against No.6 University of New England as the 2023 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Softball Championship [Game 2B] began on Wednesday (May 10) at Golden Bear Park.

With two outs, Pettenger sent the first pitch over the fence in right field, plating Erin Hancock and Julia Hutchinson. The outcome moves the Leopards (26-11-1) into Game 3B versus No.2 Western New England University, which opened the day with an 8-0 (5 innings) victory over No.7 Suffolk University.

The Nor'easters (11-26) will now face the Rams in an elimination contest [Game 4B] to close out Wednesday's action (approximately 4:30 p.m.).

UNE took the lead with two away in the 5th when Kenzie Bessette drilled an 0-2 pitch over the fence in right-center. It was her first collegiate home run, and first hit since reaching a 13-game hitting streak on April 26. Jamie DuPont scored on the play, after a one-out single.

Kara MacDonald and the Nor'easter defense worked through a leadoff double by Pettenger in the 1st, a couple singles in the 3rd, and two more singles with two gone in the 5th. MacDonald did not issue a walk and yielded the eight hits while absorbing the tough setback to drop to 6-9 on the year.

Pettenger and Hutchinson each had three hits for Wentworth, which received nine strikeouts and no walks from Hancock in the circle.

Abby Miner accounted for two of UNE's five hits (singles) -- her 17th multi-hit outing of the season.

Back in the league-opening doubleheader on April 2, the Leopards outscored the Nor'easters by 19 runs.