CLERMONT, FL. – The Wesleyan softball team competed in two games again in Florida Friday, taking one of two. In the first game, it was a pitcher's duel between Brooklin Williams '23 and Endicott's Jaylin Couto who both held their opponent without a run for the first 4 ½ innings of action. The Gulls found a way to push a run across in the bottom of the 5^th then again in the 6^th for the only runs from either team, securing the 2-0 victory. In game two, it was a low scoring affair again this time against Lasell. The Wesleyan offense came out on fire with a few hits that led to three first inning runs. They then added one more in the 3^rd, but that was it for the Cards. Fortunately for Wesleyan, their pitching was able to hold the Lasers to three runs which all came in the final two innings of play. Endicott improves to 7-3, while Lasell drops to 5-5 with the loss. Wesleyan goes 1-1 on the day, moving to 5-3 on the year.
 
HIGHLIGHTS (2-0 Loss vs. Endicott)

• Hannah Docktor '24 led off the game with a double to left field, advancing to third on a passed ball a few pitches later. The Cardinals were not able to bring her home however, with Couto putting down three straight Wesleyan batters to get out of the 1^st unscathed. Endicott started their half of the inning with a single as well, but Williams followed Couto with three straight Gulls batters retired and it was scoreless after one
• The game went into the 4^th inning still scoreless, as both teams were struggling to get base runners. When they did manage to get one on, the two teams tried to bunt them over but to no avail. The Cards went down 1-2-3 in the top of the 4^th, but the Gulls threatened in their half. A one-out double was quickly dealt with by Williams and company though, and the game moved into the 5^th scoreless
• Wesleyan went down in order again to start the 5^th, moving the game to the bottom of the 5^th 0-0. The Gulls led off with a single, quickly followed by a sac bunt to move the runner over. After a groundout, Endicott's Chrissy Marotto came to the plat with two outs and sent a ground ball towards the left side. Marotto appeared as though she was going to make it anyways, but an overthrow led to the first run of the game crossing home
• The Cardinals tried to answer back in the 6^th, with Lizzie Marino '25 ripping a double to right center with only one down. Couto was able to come back with two straight strikeouts, ending the Cardinals comeback push. The Gulls added an insurance run in the bottom half leading up to the 7^th. Wesleyan was retired in four batters and the Gulls came away with the 2-0 victory over the Cards

NOTES:

• Williams (6 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 4 K's) completes her 2nd straight impressive outing in as many days
• Couto (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 13 K's) was impressive herself for the Gulls, striking out 13 Cardinals  
• Wesleyan finished with just three hits, compared to the Gulls six

 
HIGHLIGHTS (4-3 Win vs. Lasell)

• Isabella Secaira-Cotto '25 came out dealing for the Cardinals in game two, putting down the Lasers with three straight strikeouts. Wesleyan's offense played off of that momentum in the bottom half, scoring three runs on three hits to take the lead. The big hit of the inning came from Williams who followed up her solid pitching performance with a 2-RBI double in the opening inning of this one. The Cards led 3-0 after one
• Lasell left one on base in each of the next two innings, with Secaira-Cotto continuing her impressive start to the afternoon. The Cardinals came back with more offense in the bottom half of the 3^rd to extend their lead. An error followed by a fielder's choice ultimately drove in the 4^th and final run the Cardinals would score on the day, 4-0 Wesleyan
• There were only two hits combined from both teams over the next two innings leading to the 6^th. Lasell found their offense in the top of the 6^th, going for four hits that led to two runs and they managed to cut the deficit in half. With the bases loaded and all the momentum, Secaira-Cotto regained herself and struck out the 8^th batter of the inning to stop the bleeding
• Wesleyan went down in order in the top of the 7^th, leading to a chance for the Lasers. Kelly Baker '26 would come in to close the door, managing to strand the tying run on base after giving up two hits and a run, 4-3 Cards

NOTES:

• Secaira-Cotto (6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 9 K's) picks up the win with a career-high nine stirkeouts
• Wesleyan only managed six hits, all by different players. Lasell ended with seven hits
• Williams (1-for-3, 2 RBI) drove in half of the Cardinals runs with a 2-run double

 
UP NEXT:
Wesleyan will continue their trip in Florida with two more games tomorrow March 18^th at 9 am against Hamline followed by 2 pm against Wisconsin-Oshkosh.