(Box Score) 

            FITCHBURG, Mass. - A grand slam by sophomore Laura Kaplan (Franklin, N.H.) highlighted a nine-run third inning Tuesday afternoon and Plymouth State University went on to defeat Fitchburg State College, 13-1, in a non-conference softball game at Coolidge Park.

            Fitchburg State took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first, but PSU answered with two runs in the top of the second before putting the game away with the nine runs in the third.  The Panthers tacked on single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, ending the game due to the mercy rule.  PSU won its fifth straight game to improve to 10-3 on the season, while the Falcons dropped their seventh in a row and fell to 3-14.

            Kaplan also had a single in the second-inning rally to finish the game 2-for-3.  Junior Sammi Romano (Kingston, N.H./Sanborn Regional) had three hits in three trips to the plate, including a pair of doubles, and sophomore Andrea Pydynkowski (Danvers, Mass.) finished with two hits, including her second home run of the season. Junior Kay LaBrie (Somersworth, N.H.) went 1-for-2 with a walk and two RBI, and senior Rachel Pothier (Reading, Mass.) added a seventh-inning RBI double.

            Senior Courtney MacFarland (Hampstead, N.H./Pinkerton) recorded the victory for PSU, improving her record to 5-2 with four innings of four-hit, no-walk pitching, surrendering one unearned run.  Freshman Ali Keith (Northfield, N.H./Winnisquam) worked the fifth inning in relief.

            PSU is scheduled to return to the diamond Thursday with a non-conference doubleheader at Salem State College (5:00 p.m.) Fitchburg State plays a twinbill Thursday at Curry College (3:00 p.m.) 

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