Caitlin Betz
Caitlin Betz

Betz Shutout Gives Bentley Sweep at Franklin Pierce, 7-6 and 2-0

RINDGE, N.H. – Bentley University sophomore Caitlin Betz (Randolph, N.J./Randolph HS) authored a three-hit shutout to complete the Falcons' sweep of Franklin Pierce University in a college softball doubleheader Thursday afternoon at the FPU Softball Field.

Bentley held on for a 7-6 win in the opener, a Northeast-10 Conference Northeast divisional game, and the score in the non-conference nightcap was 2-0.

The Falcon offense in the twinbill featured infielders Laura McDonough (Braintree, Mass./Braintree HS), Alex Borrelli (Salem, N.H./Central Catholic HS) and Kelly Sanborn (Hopkinton, Mass./ Hopkinton HS) with the trio combining for ten hits, seven RBI and six runs scored.

McDonough, a senior second baseman, and Borrelli, a freshman shortstop, had two hits in each game, and Sanborn, a junior third baseman, had one in each, including a homer in the opener. McDonough and Sanborn both had three RBI and two runs scored in the two wins.

The opener saw Bentley erupt for five two-out runs in the third to grab a 5-2 lead. Borrelli had an RBI single to left, McDonough followed with a two-run single up the middle, and Sanborn capped the big inning with a two-run homer, her first of the year, to left center. All five runs were unearned after a pitcher's error that would have produced the third out.

After Franklin Pierce (6-23, 3-11 NE-10 Northeast) picked up two runs in the bottom of the fifth to draw within one, Bentley added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh. McDonough walked, Sanborn was hit by a pitch and junior right fielder Chelsea Tamuk (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Earl L. Vandermeulen HS) plated both with a triple to right center.

Those two runs turned out to be very necessary as the Ravens scored twice in the bottom of the seventh and had the bases loaded before senior Carly Taitz (Blue Point, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point HS) got right fielder Caitlin Murphy (Braintree, Mass./Braintree HS) on a grounder right back to her for the final out. Taitz went the distance for her fourth win of the year, giving up 11 hits while striking out five.

Bentley also had 11 hits, including three by sophomore left fielder Shannon Connor (West Haven, Conn./West Haven HS) and two by Borrelli, in addition to the two from McDonough.

All the scoring in the opener came in the first inning. Senior Erica Thibodeau (Cohoes, N.Y./ Shaker HS) reached on a fielder's choice, Borrelli singled, McDonough did the same with Thibodeau scoring from second, and Sanborn's single plated Borrelli with the second run.

The seventh was the only time Franklin Pierce had two runners on in an inning. A walk, an error and a sacrifice put runners on second and third with two outs, but Betz put the Ravens away by getting catcher Jessica Furtado (Taunton, Mass.) on a doubleheader-ending grounder to short.

Betz finished with one walk and three strikeouts while earning her third victory.

Bentley (11-22, 6-14 NE-10 and 3-9 in the division) will host division-leading Southern New Hampshire for a pair of doubleheaders Sunday (noon) and Monday (3 pm).