FITCHBURG, Mass. – Junior
Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) ripped a two-run home run and drove in four to lift Plymouth State University to a win in game one of a non-conference doubleheader at Fitchburg State University on Saturday. The Falcons took advantage of poor weather to rally for an extra inning win in the nightcap, earning a split at Coolidge Park.
In the opener, freshman
Madison Pelletier (New Gloucester, Maine) had three hits McCann's two-run shot in the second gave PSU a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Sophomore
Jersey Strum (Somersworth, N.H.) was in control in the circle, going six-plus innings with just one earned run allowed as the Panthers earned a 6-2 win.
Plymouth State looked well on its way to completing a sweep as freshman
Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) jumpstarted the offense with a 3-for-4 effort atop the lineup. PSU scored five times between the sixth and seventh innings to break a 3-3 tie and give the hosts an 8-3 deficit heading into their final at bat. Wet playing conditions wreaked havoc on the Panthers pitching, though, as Fitchburg rallied for five runs without the benefit of a hit to for extras. PSU scored twice in the top of the inning, but the Falcons walked off with the win in the bottom half.
With the split Plymouth State moves to 6-7, while Fitchburg State ends the day at 5-6.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 6, Fitchburg State 2
- Game Two: Plymouth State 10, Fitchburg State 11 (8 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (6-7)
- Fitchburg State (5-6)
How it Happened (Game One):
- After a scoreless first the Panthers wasted little time jumping on the scoreboard in the second. Pelletier singled up the middle and McCann blasted her fifth career home run for a 2-0 lead.
- After a pop out, junior Rachyl Parslow (Temple, N.H.) was plunked and swiped second ahead of an RBI double from sophomore Kacie Johnston (Campton, N.H.) to add to the advantage.
- McCann knocked in two more in the fifth after seniors Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) and Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) were hit by pitches. With two away, McCann's single to left scored both runners as PSU stretched the margin to 5-0.
- Fitchburg got a run back in the bottom of the inning with a two-out RBI single, but the Panthers answered in the top of the seventh. Pelletier led off with a triple and came home on an RBI groundout by senior Katie Burk (East Islip, N.Y.) to make it 6-1.
- The Falcons put the first two runners on in the seventh, but sophomore Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.) came out of the bullpen to record a pair of quick outs. A single cut the lead to 6-2, but LeBrun struck out the final batter looking to wrap up the win.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- PSU had six hits, with three going for extra bases. Pelletier had a three-hit game and scored a pair of runs.
- McCann finished 2-for-3 with four RBI and a run scored.
- The Panthers worked five walks in the game.
- Sophomore Jersey Strum (Somersworth, N.H.) went 6-plus innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out four to improve to 2-1. LeBrun struck out two of the four batters she faced to close out the victory.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- The Panthers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Pelletier drove in freshman Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine), who had singled to lead off the inning.
- Plymouth State doubled its lead in the second. Freshman Alyssa D'Alessio (Pittstown, N.J.) worked a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice. After a strikeout, freshman Paige Beede (Fitzwilliam, N.H.) poked a single to right for a 2-0 lead. Montelongo followed with a double, but PSU was unable to add to the lead.
- Freshman Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) went deep with two down in the third to extend the margin to 3-0.
- The Falcons chipped away at the lead with single runs in the third, fourth and fifth to knot the game, but Plymouth State responded in the sixth. An error, hit batter and wild pitch put two runners in scoring position with two outs and both came around to score on another Fitchburg error as the Panthers went back on top, 5-3.
- The weather came into play in the seventh. PSU took advantage after a walk, hit batter and wild pitch put runners on second and third with no outs. Senior Niah Colby (Lunenburg, Vt.) lifted a sacrifice fly to center to make it 6-3 and another passed ball and error allowed sophomore Abby Kenison (Boscawen, N.H.) to cross the plate. Later in the frame, Montelongo's RBI single made it 8-3.
- The elements continued to play a major role in the game, as Fitchburg State tied the game without the benefit of a hit to force extra innings.
- McCann singled to score Pelletier, who had been placed on second to start the frame and later Kenison's base hit gave PSU a 10-8 lead.
- The wet ball continued to affect the Panthers in the bottom of the inning as Fitchburg scored three unearned runs to walk off with the win.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Montelongo went 3-for-4 with a double from the leadoff spot, scoring a pair of runs and driving in one.
- Beede also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-2 with an RBI.
- LeBrun struck out four and allowed just one earned over the first 3.1 innings. Sophomore Alyssa Wilson (Haverhill, Mass.) and Strum suffered from the wet ball, giving up nine runs (six earned) over the final four innings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State travels to Wenham, Mass. on Wednesday (Mar. 30) for a doubleheader against Gordon College. Game one's first pitch is set for 3:00 p.m.
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