Panthers post second straight non-conference sweep

            FITCHBURG, Mass. – Freshman Sam Hebert (Manchester, N.H./Memorial) went 4-for-6 with a triple and three runs batted in Thursday afternoon to lead Plymouth State University to a pair of victories over Fitchburg State University, 7-0 and 12-1, in a non-conference softball doubleheader at Coolidge Park.

            Hebert led a Panther offense that scored 19 runs on 22 hits in 12 innings, while PSU pitchers surrendered only one unearned run on nine hits and a walk and fanning 15.  The Panthers post their second straight non-conference sweep in three days and move back over the .500 mark at 11-10 overall, while the Falcons drop to 10-15.

            PSU freshman pitcher Amber White (Middleboro, Mass.) surrendered five hits and no walks through six innings of the opener, matching her season high with nine strikeouts and improving to 7-5.  Sophomore Diana Bean (Danvers, Mass.) pitched a perfect seventh inning to complete the Panther shutout.  Only four Falcons reached second base in the game and only one got to third.

            The Panthers scored the only run they would need in the third inning when sophomore Jenn Bove (Medford, Mass.) hit her first home run of the season down the right field line. PSU put the game away in the fifth inning, batting around and scoring six runs.  Hebert had the big hit in the rally with a two-run single, while junior Allie Luisi (North Kingstown, R.I.) and White also delivered RBI hits.

            Freshman Nora Galvin (Windham, N.H./Salem) pitched four innings for PSU in the nightcap, which was shortened to five innings.  She allowed an unearned run on four hits and a walk, striking out four.  Bean retired all three batters she faced again, fanning two.

            After the teams traded unearned runs in the first inning, the Panthers pulled ahead with two runs in the second inning when Hebert tripled home classmate Jackie Digman (Burlington, Mass.) and scored on an infield grounder by sophomore Hilary Lemelin (Milan, N.H.). PSU put the game out of reach in the fourth inning with a seven-run rally.  Galvin sparked the rally with a two-run triple to right center field, and freshman Denise Freitas (Sanford, Maine), Luisi and junior Heather Blase (Milford, N.H.) also cracked RBI triples in the inning.

            Hebert finished 3-for-3 in the nightcap and Luisi and Blase each had two hits and drove in a pair. 

            PSU returns to Little East Conference action Saturday in the home opener against Eastern Connecticut State University.  The Panthers will have their hands full with the Warriors, who are 15-3 and ranked 16th nationally.  Fitchburg State plays a MASCAC doubleheader Saturday at Bridgewater State. 

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