Gulls Capture Fifth Straight CCC Title
May 5, 2007
BEVERLY, MA - Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, MA/Shawsheen Tech) threw a one hit shutout to lead the Gulls to their fifth straight Commonwealth Coast Conference title as Endicott College topped Roger Williams 8-0 in five innings on Saturday afternoon in Bristol, RI.
The Gulls put three runs on the board in the top of the first inning and never looked back to earn the conferences automatic bid to NCAA tournament. Jenna Lazar (Milton, MA/Milton) got things going for the Blue and Green as she worked a walk then advanced to third on a Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME/Oak Hill). CCC Player of the Year Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, MA/Triton) followed up with a two RBI double to give EC a 2-0 lead.
After a Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard) single, Casey Shanley (Billerica, MA/Billerica) drove in Endicott's third run with an RBI single, bringing in Meghan Sargent.
Roger Williams got its lone hit in the bottom of the first inning and EC responded with a four run top of the second to break the game open. Elwell led the inning off with a double and advanced to third on a single from centerfielder Paula McGinn (Lynn, MA/Lynn Classical). Lazar drove in Elwell with a sacrifice fly to left field. Following a Danielle Sargent double Meghan Sargent hit an RBI single, driving in McGinn to make it a 5-0 game.
Sarah Spaziano (Norton, MA/Norton) kept the inning going with a two out RBI double that plated Danielle Sargent. Meghan Sargent would come around to score as the Hawks got into some trouble throwing the ball around the infield.
EC would add an eight run in the fourth inning to seal the victory and give the Gulls their fifth straight CCC Championship as Danielle Sargent hit a lead off double then came around to score on an RBI single from Spaziano.
Elwell (12-2) picked up her third win of the tournament as she went five innings allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out two. The CCC Player of the Year and First Team All Conference catcher Meghan Sargent proved why she took home those awards as she went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Fellow All Conference first teamer Danielle Sargent also had a brilliant day at the plate, setting the stage for Meghan Sargent by going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Elwell also had a good day at the dish going 1-for-1 with a double, a run scored and a walk.
The Gulls finish the season with a 30-10 record and after upsetting the top seeded Hawks they will await word from the NCAA about who they will play in the national tournaments first round next week. Be sure to log on to ecgulls.com for updates.