WORCESTER - The Emmanuel College Saints (6-16) were swept by unbeaten host Worcester Polytechnic Institute (14-0) in two five-inning contests on Tuesday afternoon, losing 8-0 in game one and 12-4 in game two at Rooftop Field.
GAME ONE: Emmanuel 0 - WPI 8
WPI wasted little time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, Sandy Fairbairn gave the Engineers an early lead with a solo home run to left center, setting the tone for the afternoon. Emmanuel's offense was kept in check throughout, as WPI starter Abby Merchant was sharp in her complete-game shutout, giving up just two hits while striking out three over five innings to improve to 7-0 on the year.
The Saints had their best chance to answer in the second inning when Sydney Taylor reached on a hit by pitch, but the threat stalled and Emmanuel was unable to push across a run. Merchant continued to frustrate the lineup, retiring Emmanuel batters efficiently on just 67 pitches.
The Engineers put the game away in the fifth inning with a four-run explosion. O'Brien doubled to lead off, and a two-run double by Sherwood — her third RBI of the day — capped off the scoring and triggered a pitching change, bringing in Jessica Voutour to relieve starter Carmen Crockett. Elizabeth Jordan added an RBI single to make it 8-0, ending the game via the mercy rule.
Crockett (2-9) absorbed the loss, allowing eight runs — seven earned — on eight hits over 4.1 innings. Offensively, Mekayla Poisson and Olivia DeMacedo each collected a hit for Emmanuel, accounting for the team's only two hits on the afternoon.
GAME TWO: Emmanuel 4 - WPI 12
Emmanuel struck first in the nightcap. Mia Fernandes drew a leadoff walk, and after Francesca Pizzarella reached on a throwing error and promptly stole second, Rylee Smith came through with an RBI fielder's choice that plated Fernandes for a 1-0 Saints lead. The momentum was short-lived, however, as WPI answered immediately in the bottom half with two runs to take a 2-1 edge after one.
WPI added two more in the second inning on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Lum, extending the lead to 4-1. Emmanuel's offense went quietly in the frame, with three straight strikeouts ending the inning.
The Saints responded with their best inning of the ball game in the third. Grace Garon delivered the big blow, a two-run double to right field that tied the game at 4-4 and scored both Fernandes and Pizzarella. Rylee Smith then reached on a throwing error, and Garon — who had advanced to third — came around to score on the play, giving Emmanuel a brief 4-4 tie and some life heading into the bottom of the inning.
Unfortunately, the Engineers answered in a big way. WPI sent ten batters to the plate in the bottom of the third, scoring seven runs to blow the game open at 11-4. A pair of Emmanuel errors proved costly, with throwing miscues allowing multiple baserunners to score. Lucy Latour capped the rally with a two-RBI single, and Sandy Fairbairn added a two-run double to push the lead to 11-4 before WPI added one more in the fourth on a sacrifice fly.
Mekayla Poisson started in the circle for Emmanuel and took the loss, falling to 1-1 after surrendering eight runs — six earned — while issuing seven walks in 2.1 innings. Jessica Voutour came on in relief and kept WPI in check for the most part before the Engineers tacked on a final run in the fourth.
Offensively, Garon led the way with a double and two RBI, while Fernandes, Pizzarella, and Alexis Martineau each added a hit. Lucy Weineck contributed a pinch-hit single in the fifth in her lone plate appearance.
WPI's Kaitlyn Barr earned the win, improving to 2-0 with a complete-game effort, allowing four runs — just two earned — while striking out five over five innings.
UP NEXT
The Saints host Worcester State University on Thursday evening in doubleheader at Roberto Clemente Field. Game one first pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.
