CLERMONT, Fla. – Freshman
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) went a combined 5-for-8 and scored three runs, but the Plymouth State University softball team came out on the short end of a pair of contests at THE Spring Games at Hancock Park on Monday.
Bessette was 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and a stolen base in PSU's opening game of the day, but Wisconsin Lutheran College scored six runs in the fourth inning and held off a late rally to take a 9-6 win. The Panthers trailed 9-4 in the sixth, but scored a pair of runs to cut into the deficit and had the tying run at the plate, but the Warriors were able to escape with the lead intact to hold on for the win.
Bessette added a 2-for-4 effort in the second game of the day. Plymouth State trailed by just one, 3-2, entering the bottom of the sixth, but Carthage scored a pair of key insurance runs to up the deficit to 5-2. PSU got one back on Bessette's bases loaded, one out single in the seventh. The Panthers had the tying run in scoring position and go-ahead run at first, but back-to-back infield pop ups ended the rally.
Plymouth State moves to 1-5 on the season, while Wisconsin Lutheran goes to 3-2. Carthage ends the day at 1-2.
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 6, Wisconsin Lutheran 9
- Game 2: Plymouth State 3, Carthage 5
- Plymouth State (1-5)
- Wisconsin Lutheran (3-2)
- Carthage (1-2)
How it Happened (Wisconsin Lutheran):
- PSU used a two-out rally to plate a run in the first when sophomore Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) singled and freshman Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) singled to right. An error by the right fielder allowed Ly to score all the way from first.
- The Warriors pulled even in the second, then went ahead on a run-scoring ground out in the third.
- Graduate student Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) doubled to start the third and Bessette followed with a single. Ly's sacrifice fly and Nezuch's RBI single gave PSU a 3-2 advantage.
- Wisconsin Lutheran answered with six runs in the top of the fourth to go back ahead, 8-3.
- Nezuch drove in a run with a sac fly in the fifth, but the Warriors answered with a run in the next half inning.
- PSU loaded the bases with one away in the sixth. Archambault drove in a run with a single, but the Warriors were able to throw a runner out on the basepaths. Bessette added an RBI single to cut the margin to 9-6, but a strikeout ended the threat and the Panthers went down in order in the seventh.
By the Numbers (Wisconsin Lutheran):
- Archambault went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI at the top of the order, while Bessette added three hits, an RBI and two runs from the two-hole.
- Nezuch and sophomore Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) also had two hits apiece, with Nezuch driving in two.
- Plymouth State pounded out 13 hits in the game, while the Warriors were limited to just four.
- Wisconsin Lutheran took advantage of 14 walks to keep traffic on the basepaths.
- Junior Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.) struck out five over the first 3.1 innings. Sophomore Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) went the final three innings, allowing just one earned while striking out a pair.
How it Happened (Carthage):
- Carthage plated a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the first.
- The Panthers pulled even in the top of the fourth. Bessette singled and Ly walked to open the inning. After the Firebirds recorded back-to-back outs, Nezuch came up with a clutch, two-out double to tie the game.
- Carthage knocked a leadoff homer in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead, 3-2.
- Ly knocked a one out single and graduate student Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) walked with two down to push the tying run into scoring position, but a pop up ended the inning and the Firebirds tacked on two insurance runs in the bottom of the frame.
- The Panthers fought to the end with a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases with one away. Bessette cut the deficit to 5-3 with a base hit, but Carthage went to the bullpen and got two infield popups to hold on for the win.
By the Numbers (Carthage):
- Bessette added another two hits, drove in a run and scored once.
- Nezuch went 1-for-3 with a double, PSU's lone extra base hit, and drove in two.
- Ly, and seniors Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) and Rachyl Parslow (Temple, N.H.) also had base hits.
- Freshman Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) went the distance, allowing three earned runs in six innings while striking out four.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State will be tested on Tuesday (Mar. 14) when the Panthers face #6 Belhaven University and Wisconsin-River Falls.
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