KEENE, N.H. – Junior
Rachyl Parslow (Temple, N.H.) and freshman
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) each went deep in the opener as Plymouth State University split a Little East Conference (LEC) softball doubleheader at Keene State College at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday.
Parslow and Ly both homered, while sophomore
Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.) and junior
Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) combined to strike out 10 batters and allow just one run as the Panthers took the opener, 4-1.
Keene State rallied from a 3-0 deficit to score the tying run with two down in the bottom of the seventh, then worked a pair of two-out walks in the bottom of the eighth to force in the winning run for a 4-3 victory.
With the split, Plymouth State goes to 7-12 (1-3 LEC), while Keene State moves to 11-9 (1-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 4, Keene State 1
- Game Two: Plymouth State 3, Keene State 4 (8 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (7-12, 1-3 LEC)
- Keene State (11-9, 1-1 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- LeBrun pitched out of trouble in the second, allowing just one run while stranding a pair in scoring position after back-to-back strikeouts.
- Parslow rocked a leadoff homer to left field to tie the game in the next half inning.
- The Panthers used a two-out rally to pull ahead in the fourth. Sophomore Kacie Johnston (Campton, N.H.) reached on an infield hit and pinch runner Samantha Fancher (Gales Ferry, Conn.) came all the way around to score on a double by freshman Jade Guertin (Burrillville, R.I.) for the 2-1 lead.
- KSC got the first two runners on to start the fifth, then sacrificed them into scoring position, but LeBrun got a huge strike out and a fly ball to preserve the lead.
- PSU got some insurance in the sixth when Ly blasted a two-run shot to left to push the lead to 4-1.
- Keene tried to rally in the seventh using three straight singles with one out to put the tying runs on base, but McCann came on to get a huge strikeout for the second out and a line drive to second ended the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Parslow and Ly each went 2-for-3 with a homer.
- Senior Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) also had two hits, going 2-for-4 atop the order.
- LeBrun picked up the win to move to 3-3 on the year. She struck out nine over 6.1 innings.
- McCann earned her first save after recording the final two outs.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Plymouth State put up a pair of runs in the third to snag the early lead. An error and back-to-back walks loaded the bases and sophomore Vanessa Bryan (Stoneham, Mass.) singled in a run and later in the inning Ly's sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
- PSU added another run in the fourth. Freshman Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) singled with one out and was sacrificed to second before Archambault came through with a clutch RBI single.
- The Owls scored a pair of runs in the fifth, but LeBrun came on to keep preserve the lead.
- Keene rallied with a two-out single to tie the game in the seventh.
- Ly walked and Parslow singled in the top of the eighth, but a line drive off the bat of Guertin turned into a double play to end the threat.
- Keene took advantage of back-to-back walks with two down to force in the winning run.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Six different players had a base hit apiece. Archambault and Ly each reached twice with a hit and a walk.
- Ly's double was the Panthers' lone extra base hit.
- Sophomore Alyssa Wilson (Haverhill, Mass.) struck out four and allowed just one run over the first four innings. LeBrun worked 1.2 innings and McCann was saddled with the loss.
Up Next:
- The Panthers open their home schedule on Saturday (Apr. 9) when Rhode Island College comes to town for another LEC twin bill. Game one's first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
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