WPI takes two from MCLA

From WPI Sports Information 

Worcester, MA - Kelly Johnson (Buxton, ME) had two walk-off hits on the day, a two-run homer in game one and a run-scoring double in the gap in game two, leading host WPI to a non-conference doubleheader sweep of MCLA on Monday afternoon. The pair of 8-0 wins allows WPI to finish the season on a high note, ending at 16-23 on the season. MCLA falls to 10-22 on the year.

Erin Flaherty (Stoughton, MA) and Allie Hardy (Townsend, MA) each threw five-inning complete games for the Engineers in the sweep.

In game one, WPI broke through in both the first and second innings to take an early advantage. Senior Nicole Maglione (Charlton, MA), who had six hits and scored seven times in her final games with the Engineers, singled to center to lead off the first. Maglione was bunted over to second by Johnson, and scored on senior Sara Migdal's (Galway, NY) single to center for a 1-0 lead. In the second, Corrie Avila (Dighton, MA) and Sarah Johnson (Eastham, MA) picked up back-to-back one-out singles before Kelly Johnson and senior Jen Richards (Hampstead, NH) each delivered RBI base hits for a 3-0 edge.

The Engineers had three runs cross the plate in the home half of the fourth to pull away from the Trailblazers. Maglione singled and scored on an error, while Kim Martilla (Kings Park, NY) and Meg Foley (Belchertown, MA) each drove in a run in the inning, putting WPI up 6-0.

Maglione picked up another base hit in the fifth, reaching base before Kelly Johnson sent a 1-1 pitch over the fence in left-center, giving WPI the 8-0 win.

Flaherty went the complete five innings for the Engineers, earning her fourth win of the season in the process (4-8). The freshman struck out five and walked none, scattering five hits. Maglione was 3-for-4 with three runs scored, while Kelly Johnson and Richards each had two hits. Every Engineer in the lineup had at least one base hit in game one. Jen McMurray (Margaretville, NY) took the loss for MCLA in 4 1/3 innings of work. Catcher Kayla Koumjian (Watervliet, NY) had a 2-for-2 day at the plate for the Trailblazers in the opener.

In the second game of the afternoon, Hardy was dominant, allowing only a first inning bunt single over five innings in picking up her 11th win of the season. Hardy struck out five and walked none.

Maglione was also the hitting star in game two, starting each of WPI's four run-scoring rallies. The senior was 3-for-3 with a walk in game two, scoring four runs. The Engineers also got key contributions from Migdal and Foley in the second game, each with two hits and two RBI. Kelly Johnson's sole base hit of game two was a big one, as her double with Maglione on second and a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning plated the winning run and clinched the sweep for WPI.

Samantha Naring (Norwalk, CT) took the loss for MCLA in the second game, falling to 0-1 on the season, while pitcher Hadley Ameen (North Adams, MA) provided three innings of efficient relief, striking out five over that span. Amanda Borsotti (Lee, MA) had the lone hit for the Trailblazers.

MCLA turns its attention to postseason play, opening up the MASCAC Tournament with a road game on Thursday at top-seeded Westfield State.  First pitch is slated for 4pm.