The East Providence softball team smashed 14 hits as they out slugged Pilgrim 10-9 during a Division 1 away game on Friday evening. It was the top of the lineup that fueled the Townies during the slugfest with Pilgrim. Caroline Welch slugged four hits, Marianna Pina belted three hits and Audrey Bernard bashed a grand slam for East Providence, who currently have a record of 8-3. The Townies went 2-1 last week, edging Prout 4-3 on Monday and falling to power house La Salle 12-0 on Wednesday.

“Audrey has been hitting really well for us,” said Townies head coach Katie Solitro. “They all have been doing a good job. It has been a legitimate team effort.”

 

Bernard’s blast evens the score 8-8

Bernard’s blast sailed over the left field wall in the top of the fifth inning to even the score 8-8. But Pilgrim, who led most of the game after scoring six runs in the first two innings, came back in the bottom of the fifth to take a 9-8 lead. 

The Townies knotted the game again 9-9 in the top of the sixth, when Pina doubled to lead off the inning and came around to score on a double to center field by cleanup hitter, Trinity Provencher. 

East Providence finally took the lead for good in the seventh inning. Ella Grimley took first on a fielder’s choice, then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. Leadoff hitter Nethania Figueroa belted a grounder that bounced off the shortstop’s glove. She reached first base safely and Grimley scored to give the Townies a 10-9 lead.

 

Dulude stymies Patriots, earns the win

Pilgrim threatened in the bottom of the seventh with runners at first and second with one out. Townies senior pitcher Cassie Dulude beared down and struck out Pilgrim leadoff hitter Madison Tuirok. Then got second hitter Abby Bryson to hit a soft fly ball to Provencher in center field to end the game and preserve the win. 

Dulude, a senior, struck out four and yielded five hits, five walks and three runs in 5-1/3 innings of work. She replaced Pina, a junior, who started the game for the Townies. Pina struck out two, and gave up four hits, two walks and six runs in the 1-2/3 innings.

“They make a good combination,” said Coach Solitro of her two pitchers. “They are really hard to hit, especially when we switch it up halfway through the game. It has saved us in some big games.”

 

Next up: The Townies travel to Westerly on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and host North Kingstown on Saturday at 11 a.m.