DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Sophomore
Vanessa Bryan (Stoneham, Mass.) had two hits in the opener and Plymouth State University brought the tying run to the plate in the last inning of game two, but the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth took both ends of a Little East Conference (LEC) softball doubleheader at the UMD Softball Complex on Saturday.
PSU had multiple scoring chances but couldn't come up with the timely hit in the opener, falling by a 3-0 score. The Panthers held a 2-1 lead after the top of the fourth in game two, but the Corsairs put up three in the bottom of the fifth. PSU rallied for a run in the seventh and had the tying run in the batter's box, but the Corsairs slammed the door on the comeback bid to earn the sweep.
Plymouth State slips to 6-11 and drops both ends of its LEC opener (0-2), while UMass Dartmouth moves to 14-4-1 and 2-0 in the Little East.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 0, UMass Dartmouth 3
- Game Two: Plymouth State 3, UMass Dartmouth 4
- Plymouth State (6-11, 0-2 LEC)
- UMass Dartmouth (14-4-1, 2-0 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Bryan singled up the middle with one down in the first, but UMD got the next two outs to strand her there.
- The Corsairs used a double and two groundouts to take a 1-0 lead in the third.
- Bryan singled again to open the fourth and moved to second on a sacrifice, but the Panthers were unable to drive her in.
- The hosts got some breathing room after plating two runs in the fifth.
- Plymouth State put the first two on in the sixth after seniors Niah Colby (Lunenburg, Vt.) and Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) both singled to start the frame, but UMD retired the next three batters to end the threat and PSU couldn't rally in the seventh.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Bryan led the offense with her 2-for-3 showing, while Colby, Archambault and junior Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) all singled.
- Sophomore Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.) went the distance, scattering nine hits and striking out four while giving up just three runs.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Plymouth State had two runners in scoring position with one down in the first after Bryan was hit by a pitch and freshman Madison Pelletier (New Gloucester, Maine) singled and moved up on a passed ball, but the Corsairs worked out of trouble.
- UMass Dartmouth threatened in the second with two runners on, but sophomore Alyssa Wilson (Haverhill, Mass.) got a clutch strikeout and pop up to keep the game scoreless.
- The Corsairs got an unearned run in the third to take the lead.
- Plymouth State rallied to pull in front in the fourth. Senior Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) singled to start the inning and with two outs classmate Katie Burk (East Islip, N.Y.) doubled to left to tie the game. Junior Rachyl Parslow (Temple, N.H.) followed with a single down the left field line to score pinch runner Samantha Fancher (Gales Ferry, Conn.) and put PSU on top.
- The hosts leapfrogged back in front with three runs in the fifth inning.
- Archambault ripped a one-out double to the left field fence in the top of the seventh. She moved up on a ground out and came home on a wild throw by the catcher to cut the margin to 4-3, but the Corsairs closed out the win with a strikeout.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Archambault finished 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. Burk (double, single) and Parslow (two singles) also had two-hit games for the Panthers.
- Wilson went 4.1 innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) and striking out three.
- Sophomore Jersey Strum (Somersworth, N.H.) struck out two over the final 1.2 innings.
- PSU had won five of the last seven meetings entering the day.
Up Next:
- PSU remains in conference action on Tuesday (Apr. 5) when the Panthers visit Keene State for a doubleheader. First pitch for the opener is set for 3:00 p.m.
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