WENHAM, Mass. – Gordon College rallied for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, then used a dynamic pitching performance in game two to sweep Plymouth State University, 9-3 and 8-0, in a non-conference softball doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
Plymouth State battled back from a one-run deficit in the fourth inning of the opener when senior
Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) lifted a two-out shot to deep left center field with a runner on base, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead. The Fighting Scots plated a pair in the bottom of the inning, but PSU tied the game in the top of the fifth on a base hit from freshman
Madison Pelletier (New Gloucester, Maine). The game remained tied until Gordon erupted for six runs in the bottom of the sixth to take the game, 9-3.
The hosts rode the momentum and a dominant start in the circle to flummox the Panthers in the nightcap, 8-0. Plymouth State got a leadoff single from freshman
Samantha Fancher (Gales Ferry, Conn.), who was gunned down attempting to steal. The next batter worked a walk before the Gordon pitcher retired the next eight straight hitters. The Panthers' only other baserunner came on an error to lead off the fourth.
Plymouth State slips to 6-9, while Gordon goes to 9-6-1.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 3, Gordon 9
- Game Two: Plymouth State 0, Gordon 8 (5 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (6-9)
- Gordon (9-6-1)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Plymouth State nearly plated a run in the first when freshman Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) singled up the middle after Pelletier's two-out double, but the Fighting Scots' centerfielder made a perfect throw home to nab Pelletier at the plate.
- The hosts took a 1-0 lead in the second.
- PSU leapfrogged ahead in the fourth. A two-out walk gave the Panthers a baserunner and Picard launched her first dinger of the year deep to left center field for a 2-1 lead.
- Gordon rallied in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs, but the Panthers' defense kept the deficit at one with a pair of good plays. PSU tagged out a baserunner in a rundown between third and home and, with two away, Ly made a sliding catch in right field to strand a runner at third.
- Pelletier poked a two-out single to right field to drive in the tying run in the top of the fifth, but the hosts put up six runs in the bottom of the sixth to grab the win.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Pelletier went 2-for-4 with a double, while six other Panthers had hits.
- Picard drove in two with her two-run shot, while junior Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) reached twice with a single and a walk.
- Pelletier struck out four after working 5.1 innings, while sophomore Jersey Strum (Somersworth, N.H.) got the final two outs.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Fancher ripped a single to left to open the game but was nabbed attempting to swipe second. Sophomore Vanessa Bryan (Stoneham, Mass.) walked but back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.
- The Fighting Scots took advantage of a PSU miscue to score a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning.
- Gordon's bats came to life in the third, using seven hits to score six runs and push the lead to 8-0.
- Bryan reached on an infield error to open the fourth, but she would be the last Panther to reach base as Gordon retired the next six straight hitters to close out the game.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Fancher finished 1-for-2 with PSU's lone hit.
- Bryan reached base twice with a walk and an error.
- McCann was saddled with the loss, while sophomore Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.) struck out four of the eight batters she faced over a scoreless 1.2 innings.
- It was the first meeting between the two teams since at least 1991.
Up Next:
- The Panthers kick off Little East Conference (LEC) play on Saturday (Apr. 2) when they visit the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for a twin bill with the Corsairs. First pitch for the opener is 1:00 p.m.
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