PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) had three hits, scored a run and drove in two but Husson University took both ends of a non-conference softball doubleheader over Plymouth State University in the Panthers' home opener at D&M Park on Tuesday afternoon.
The Panthers ran into a dominant pitching performance in the opener. Archambault had two of PSU's four hits at the top of the lineup, but the Eagles were able to cruise to an 11-1 win in five innings.
Husson's pitchers were able to keep PSU off the scoreboard until the sixth inning of game two as the Panthers' late rally wasn't enough in an 8-2 setback.
Plymouth State slips to 7-14 on the year, while Husson runs its record to 16-6.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 1, Husson 11 (5 Inn.)
- Game Two: Plymouth State 2, Husson 8
- Plymouth State (7-14)
- Husson (16-6)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Husson jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a two-run homer just down the left field line in the top of the second.
- The Eagles crossed the plate twice in the third one an RBI triple to the right centerfield gap and made it 4-0 when a popup squirted out of the glove of a PSU fielder.
- The visitors erupted for five runs in the fourth to push the margin to 9-0.
- Plymouth State broke up the perfect game in the bottom of the inning when Archambault dropped a double just inside the left field line and three batters later freshman Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) drove her in with a double to left.
- Husson came right back with a pair of runs in the fifth.
- A walk and singles from freshman Jade Guertin (Burrillville, R.I.) and Archambault loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame, but the Husson pitcher got a strikeout to end the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Archambault went 2-for-3 at the top of the PSU order.
- Ly and Guertin both finished 1-for-2, while sophomore Kacie Johnston (Campton, N.H.) worked the Panthers' lone walk.
- Sophomore Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.) gave up six runs (five earned) over the first three, striking out five in the process.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- The Eagles used back-to-back two out doubles to plate a run in the top of the first.
- Plymouth State nearly got the run back in the bottom of the inning, but the Husson right fielder made a diving catch off the bat of senior Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) to strand a runner in scoring position.
- Husson put up a three-spot in the second to increase the margin to 4-0.
- The Panthers got back-to-back hits from senior Madison Harris (Randolph, Mass.) and freshman Madison Pelletier (New Gloucester, Maine) and an Eagles' error loaded the bases with no outs in the second, but the Eagles worked out of trouble without allowing a run and used the momentum to add two runs in the third.
- Ly and Picard singled to put runners on the corners in the bottom of the frame, but a pop up and ground out ended the threat.
- Husson tacked on a run in the top of the sixth.
- PSU loaded the bases on three walks in the bottom of the inning and Archambault drove in a pair with a two-out single.
- The Panthers worked a couple of walks in the last of the seventh, but a fly out ended the game.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- The Panthers got singles from Archambault, Ly, Picard, Harris and Pelletier and worked a total of six walks in the game.
- Archambault drove in the only two runs with her sixth-inning, two-out single.
- PSU used four pitchers in the contest, with sophomore Alyssa Wilson (Haverhill, Mass.) proving most effective after striking out five and allowing just one earned run in her 3.1 innings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State is home again on Friday (Apr. 15) for a Little East Conference (LEC) twin bill against Rhode Island College. Game one kicks off at 3:00 p.m.
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