SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Freshman Mackenzie Bruggeman (Trumbull, Conn.) went 3-for-3 with a double and two home runs to help propel the Assumption University softball team to a convincing 14-2 victory over American International College in the opening game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets recovered to win the nightcap, 4-3, and earn a split.

Game One: Assumption 14, American International 2 (5 Innings)

Assumption scored in almost every way possible to run away with a win in just five innings during the opener. The Greyhounds scored six times in the top of the first to set the tone for the contest, beginning with two consecutive fielder's choice plays off the bats of sophomores Corin Mahan (Abington, Mass.) and Summer Sheerin (Bridgewater, Mass.). Additional runs were plated on a wild pitch, a single up the middle by Alexis Charbonneau (Hudson, N.H.), and a double courtesy of sophomore Samantha Hardwick (Albany, N.Y.).

Despite giving up a run in each of the two first frames, Assumption stayed in control by continuing to score at least once in every frame. The Greyhounds primarily used their power to add insurance markers, which included seeing Bruggeman deposit the ball over the fence twice and fellow freshman Mollie Verreault (Scarborough, Maine) accomplishing the feat for the fifth time this spring.

Senior Erin Barry (Braintree, Mass.) earned the win in the circle for Assumption and improved her record to 6-5 on the season by striking out four, issuing three walks, and allowing five hits and two runs which were earned. AIC's Isabella Erti suffered the setback after getting lit up for 11 hits and 11 runs, including four earned, in 3.2 frames.

Game Two: American International 4, Assumption 3

Even though they got hammered in the opener and fell behind in the nightcap, American International found a way to split the twinbill in walk-off fashion.

In what began as a pitcher's duel, Assumption drew first blood by scoring three times in the top of the fourth. After Mahan put the Greyhounds on the board on an RBI double to center, Bruggeman continued her torrid afternoon by dropping a single to left center which sent home Mahan and Verreault.

However, AIC (3-15, NE10 1-5) recovered and tied the game by scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth. With two runners on base, Mackenzie Berman laid down a bunt and reached on a throwing error by the Greyhound pitcher to plate the team's first run, and Leah Twyman and Victoria Andrade then hit singles to knot the score. The Yellow Jackets threatened to take the lead in the frame and on the same play they tied it, but sophomore second baseman Lauren Geremia (North Providence, R.I.) gunned down Alicia at home.

Assumption then attempted to regain the advantage on the scoreboard by placing a runner on third with one out in the top of the seventh. However, freshman Alicia Habib (Haverhill, Mass.), who doubled to start the frame, was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice play to short. Senior Allison Ainley (Rehoboth, Mass.) reached on a fielding error to place another Greyhound on third, but hurler Alexis Jimenez got out of the jam by inducing a lineout.

The Yellow Jackets then used the momentum to complete the comeback in the bottom of the seventh. With two runners on base and one in scoring position with two outs, Kodi Gora provided the heroics by singling down the left field line to plate Destiny McGrath.

Jimenez earned the win for AIC and improved to 2-3 after surrendering eight hits and three runs which were earned. She fanned two and did not issue a walk. Hardwick took the loss and dropped to 0-3 despite striking out a season-high eight batters. She gave up eight hits and four runs, including three earned, in 6.2 innings of work.

Assumption (6-17, NE10 3-3) continues league action when it next faces Pace for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 9 beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the nearby campus of WPI.