Galvin tosses shutout for Panthers in opener

            SALEM, Mass. – Freshman Nora Galvin (Windham, N.H./Salem) gave up just three hits and struck out four in a complete game shutout Thursday afternoon as Plymouth State University defeated Salem State University 4-0 in the first game of a softball double header.  The Vikings pulled out the second game on a walk-off, two-run double in the bottom of the seventh by Michelle Grifoni (Peabody, Mass.)

            Senior Kortney Nedeau (Kennebunk, Maine) put Plymouth State up 1-0 in the first inning of the opener, driving in Heather Blase (Milford, N.H.) with a double. Nedeau again brought Blase home in the top of the third with a sacrifice fly to make it a 2-0 game.  Blase gave the Panthers a little insurance in the seventh inning with a two-run single to open up a 4-0 edge. Blase finished the game going 3-for-4 with a two runs and two RBIs, while Nedeau went 1-for-3 and drove in a pair.

            Galvin did the rest, keeping the Vikings off the board for her second shutout of the season.  Katelynn Fanning (East Boston, Mass.) took the loss for Salem State, allowing four earned runs despite holding the Panthers to just five hits while striking out six.

            Lauren DiCredico (Tewksbury, Mass.) started game two for Salem State and went 5 1/3 innings giving up two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out five. Nicole Wilson (Peabody, Mass.) earned the win in relief.

            Salem State held a 2-0 lead going into the top of the sixth, but the Panthers were able to tie when Sam Hebert (Manchester, N.H.) reached on an error which plated Nedeau. Plymouth State then grabbed a two-run lead in the seventh when Allie Luisi (North Kingston, RI) walked with the bases loaded and Nedeau followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Panthers a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

            Christina Cipriani (Peabody, Mass.) began the rally in the final inning with a single, then pinch runner Ashley Aldred (Arlington, Mass.) provided a spark by stealing second. After Paige Flemming (Methuen, Mass.) walked, Sarra Bergeron (Methuen, Mass.) hit a bunt single to load the bases. Taylor Orlando (Danvers, Mass.) then hit a little grounder to the catcher and which knocked in Aldred and advanced the other two runners to second and third. Grifoni then took to the plate and doubled to win the game for Salem State.

            The Lady Vikings, 9-9 return to action Saturday with a double header at home against Fitchburg State. The 6-7 Panthers open Little East Conference play Saturday with a doubleheader at Rhode Island College. 

(Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information) 

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