NEW LONDON, Conn.  -  Springfield College scored eight runs against Coast Guard softball in both games of today's NEWMAC weekend doubleheader at Nitchman Field. Big innings from the visiting side hampered the Bears in each contest, who were held to just two hits in game two.

Coast Guard moves to 4-6 in NEWMAC play (9-10-1 overall), while Springfield improves to 8-4 against league opponents (19-9 overall). The Pride will put their five-game win streak on the line during April 23rd's non-conference twinbill with bitter rivals Western New England (16-9-1 overall).

GAME 1: Springfield 8, Coast Guard 1
Springfield struck first with a two-out, RBI single up the middle in the top of the third inning, but Coast Guard equalized in the bottom of the fifth. A lead-off double to right field for junior Emma Behel (Ellicott City, Md.) preceded two straight infield pop-outs before freshman Hayden Reilly (Prosper, Tex.) smacked her own two-bagger to left to bring her teammate around.

The Pride responded with seven runs in the top sixth. A single with runners on first and second broke a one-run tie before a walk loaded the bases. Springfield took advantage, drawing a hit-by-pitch and and two singles in three plate appearances to quickly make it a 5-1 game. Another single made it 6-1, and the Pride followed that up with an RBI ground out and another single to plate two more.

Coast Guard recorded seven hits in the first contest, three of which came from Reilly and two coming from Behel. First-year Madeline Kibler (Effingham, Ill.) and junior Bridget Bartz (Arlington, Va.) had the other two base knocks, while sophomore Mack Murnane (Wilmington, N.C.) reached via a walk.

GAME 2: Springfield 8, Coast Guard 0 (5 Inn.)
Springfield was able to keep their bats hot to start game two, taking a two run lead in the first inning thanks to a single to right field with two on and later an RBI bases-loaded ground out with one retired.

The fifth inning saw the Pride break the game open with five runs, loading the bases and scoring their first four of the frame with an RBI single, a bases loaded walk, and a two-RBI single. The Pride loaded the bases again after another walk and plated one more with a fielder's choice ground-out to shortstop.

Springfield added one more in the top fifth with two outs and runners and second and third. A rundown between the mentioned bags was enticed, allowing the runner on third base to score before Coast Guard was able to get the final out of the inning. Despite a batter reaching via error in the bottom half, Springfield blanked the Bears to put the run-rule in effect.

Coast Guard mustered just two hits as a team in the second game, coming from Behel and pinch-hitting sophomore Elyssia Reyna (San Antonio, Tex.), and struck out six times. Reilly and fellow freshman Olivia Garcia (Oxford, Conn.) each reached via walk.

Bears softball will be looking to bounce back when they head up to Boston on April 22nd for a now twice-rescheduled NEWMAC twinbill at Emerson College. The Lions hold a 7-5 conference record (15-11 overall), and will be out for revenge after last season's dual sweep included a 16-0 run-rule win for the Bears.