Blue Perform Well in Spring Break Sun West Tournament Games 2008 (Orange, CA)

Wellesley 3 vs Pacific 2

After eight innings of play, Wellesley defeated Pacific 3-2. Senior pitcher, Jenna Harvey tossed a no-hitter in the Blue's opening game of the 2008 SunWest Tournament. Pacific scored first in the game, scoring in the top of the first inning. Wellesley tied the game in the bottom of the second inning on a Pacific passed ball. Junior, Beej Grundlock tallied the first Blue score. Wellesley captured the lead when First-Year, Brittany Bakacs singled to score Sophomore, Ilana Orloff. Pacific tied the game in the top of the third inning; Wellesley and Pacific remained tied until the bottom of the eighth inning. Implementing the international tie-breaker rule, First-Year, Sarah Parmelee scored when Senior, Meghan Sullivan singled to left field.

For the game, Sullivan and Junior, Amanda Tai each added two hits to the Wellesley offensive attack. Defensively, Harvey struck out fourteen batters and allowed two unearned runs in eight innings.

Wellesley 4 vs Whitworth 3

In their second eight inning contest of the Tournament and of the day, Wellesley defeated Whitworth University 4-3. The Blue were not able to score until the bottom of the sixth inning but a steely resolve kept the game close. The Whitworth Pirates took a 3-0 lead early in the game, but the game's final innings proved to be Wellesley's opportunity to take the game. In the bottom of the sixth inning, First-Year, Brittany Bakacs, chalked up an RBI on a single hit through the middle of the infield. Sophomore, Ilana Orloff, was responsible for Wellesley's third run on a single to center field. The go-ahead and winning run of the game was scored by the Blue in the bottom of the eighth inning. Utilizing the international tie-breaker rule. Sophomore, Alex Houghtalin, was placed on second base. Houghtalin moved to third base on a Sophomore, Shawna McCreadie bunt. Bakacs hit for her second RBI of the day when she hit a fielder's choice shot that scored Houghtalin from thrid base.

Defensively, Junior, Beej Grundlock, tossed five scoreless innings in relief. She allowed one hit and K'ed six batters while picking up the win.

Wellesley 9 vs Elmhurst 0

The Wellesley Blue picked up their third win in the 2008 SunWest Softball Tournament by defeating Elmhurst College 9-0. Defensively, Junior, Beej Grundlock, tossed for all seven innings while picking up her third win of the season. She struck out eight batters and allowed a mere three hits. Offensively, two hits were collected apiece by Seniors, Alex Coari and Meghan Sullivan, and Sophomores, Alex Houghtalin and Ilana Orloff. Senior, Jenna Harvey, struck for three RBIs while other RBIs were added by Houghtalin, Sophomore, Alex Warren, and Junior, Samantha Littlejohn.

Wellesley 2 vs Linfield 1

Wellesley picked up its fourth straight win while competing in the 2008 SunWest Softball Tournament by defeating the 2007 NCAA DIII National Softball Champion, Linfield College, 2-1. The Blue trailed the entire game until the seventh inning when Junior, Amanda Tai, and Senior, Alex Coari earned their way to first with solid singles. Senior, Kara Wong, would then hit a double that tied the game at 1-1. With two outs in the game, pinch runner, First-Year, Sarah Parmelee, crossed home plate with the winning run after a Linfield passed ball.

For the game, Wellesley collected ten hits. Tai and Sophomore, Alex Houghtalin, both notched two hits apiece. Senior ace, Jenna Harvey, pitched all seven innings, allowed only one run and two hits, and struck out eight Wildcat batters.

Wellesley 4 vs Whitworth 2

In the Blue's second match-up against Whitworth University, they once again came out as victors after an eight-inning battle. The game was Wellesley's third eight-inning game of the 2008 Sunwest Softball Tournament and its second against the Whitworth Pirates.

In the top of the third inning, Wellesley was down 2-0 but was able to cut the score to 2-1 on a First-Year, Sarah Parmelee, double that scored Junior, Amanda Tai. The Blue would even things up in the top of the seventh inning when Sophomore, Alex Warren, singled First-Year, Ali Davia home. Wellesley would score two more runs in the top of the eighth inning thanks to an RBI from Senior, Kara Wong, and a timely unearned run.

Senior pitcher, Jenna Harvey, tossed all eight innings for the Blue, allowed two runs and three hits, and struck out sixteen batters; two of these were especially clutch and occurred in the bottom of the eighth inning. At the plate, Parmelee racked up three hits while Tai and Senior, Meghan Sullivan, collected two hits apiece.

Concordia 7 vs Wellesley 3

Wellesley suffered its first lost in the 2008 SunWest Softball Tournament at the hands of Concordia University (Irvine, California) by a final score of seven runs to three. Concordia University, an NAIA team, was the 2006 NAIA Region II Runner-Up and placed sixth at the 2006 NAIA National Tournament.

After three innings, Wellesley trailed Concordia 7-0. The Blue scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after a Sophomore, Alex Warren, blast. Offensively, First-Year, Ali Davis, went 2-3. In relief, Junior pitcher, Beej Grundlock, threw four innings of scoreless softball, allowed just one hit, and struck out five Eagle batters.

Wellesley 4 vs Williams 2

Wellesley defeated NESCAC opponent, Williams College, by a final tally of 4 runs to 2 to secure their sixth victory in the SunWest Softball Tournament 2008.

In the top of the first inning, the Blue struck first for a 1-0 lead. Two additional runs were scored in the top of the third inning while an insurance run was added during the top of the sixth inning. Williams only threat came in the bottom of the third inning when they were able to push two runs across the plate. These runs would set the score at three runs to two in favor of Wellesley.

Picking up the win on the mound was Junior pitcher, Beej Grundlock. Grundlock only allowed two runs in seven innings. At the plate, Junior, Amanda Tai, was a force to be reckoned with as she collected two hits. Senior, Kara Wong, struck for an RBI triple, Senior, Jenna Harvey, tallied an RBI with a double. The other two RBIs were contributed by Senior, Meghan Sullivan and Sophomore, Alex Warren.

Willamette 4 vs Wellesley 0

In their eighth and final game of the SunWest Softball Tournament 2008, Wellesley fell to Willamette University, 4-0, in eight innings. Willamette is a member of the competitive Northwest Conference; this Conference is also home to the 2007 NCAA DIII Softball Champions, Linfield College.

Offensively, Junior, Beej Grundlock hit a two-bagger, while Senior, Jenna Harvey and Junior, Amanda Tai both struck for singles. Wellesley finished the tournament with six wins and two losses. Overall, the loss puts the Blue at 9-2-1 on the season.