KEENE, N.H. – Graduate student Caitlyn Miller (Lee, N.H.) and freshman Alexis Michon (Montville, Conn.) were at it again as the duo led Plymouth State University to a sweep of Keene State College in a non-conference softball double header at Owl Athletic Complex on Friday.
 
Miller cruised in the opener, allowing just one hit in a 2-0 win, while Michon struck out nine over six innings of work in a 9-2 win in the nightcap. Sophomore Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) went 4-for-7 with a double and homer between the two games, driving in two.
 
PSU sweeps the season series (4-0) and evens its record at 4-4, while the Owls fall to 0-4.
 
The Basics:

• Game 1: Plymouth State 2, Keene State 0
• Game 2: Plymouth State 9, Keene State 2
  • Plymouth State (4-4)
  • Keene State (0-4)

 
How it Happened (Game One):

• Plymouth State threatened in the first when McCann ripped a two-out double to left center to put runners on second and third, but a ground out ended the rally.
• PSU had two runners in scoring position with one down in the fourth, but a runner was cut down at the plate and a fly out closed the frame.
• The Panthers broke through in the sixth thanks to some sloppy defense as back-to-back errors gave PSU a 1-0 lead.
• Plymouth State tacked on an insurance run in the seventh as junior Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) walked and sophomore Rachyl Parslow (Temple, N.H.) singled to put runners on the corners with one out. After in infield pop out, Michon came through with a clutch hit to make it 2-0.
• Miller allowed a hit batter to start the bottom of the inning, but junior Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) threw her out trying to steal second and Miller struck out the final two batters.

By the Numbers (Game One):

• Miller needed just 76 pitches to throw the complete game one-hitter, striking out six to improve to 2-2. In her last two starts, both against Keene, the lefty allowed just one earned run over 14 innings with 10 strikeouts.
• McCann finished 2-for-3 with a double, while Michon, Picard and Parslow all singled.

 
How it Happened (Game Two):

• An error and hits by freshman Vanessa Bryan (Stoneham, Mass.) and McCann loaded the bases and graduate student Jen Landers (Berlin, N.H.) was hit by a pitch to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the first.
• PSU added two runs in the second when Bryan drove in junior Niah Colby (Lunenburg, Vt.) and Michon, who had both singled earlier in the inning.
• Plymouth State pushed the lead to 5-0 with another two runs in the third. Landers and Archambault singled, moved up on a bunt and came home on a two-base error.
• The Owls got a run back in the bottom of the inning.
• PSU put the game away in the sixth when McCann launched a two-run shot to left field to make it 7-1 and the Panthers added two insurance runs in the seventh on Bryan's two-run double.

By the Numbers (Game Two):

• After striking out 14 Owls in her last appearance, Michon K'd nine over her six innings of work to even her record at 2-2.
• Freshman Jersey Strum (Somersworth, N.H.) closed out the game with one inning of relief.
• Bryan finished 3-for-5 with a double and four RBI, while McCann went 2-for-4 with her two-run homer.
• Michon (single, single), Landers (two singles) and Colby (single, double) all had two hits.
• Plymouth State has won nine-of-ten against the Owls.

 
Up Next:

• PSU hosts the Castleton University for a pair of non-conference games on Sunday (Apr. 11) starting at 1:00 p.m.