BANGOR, Maine – Sophomore
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) and graduate student
Emily Picard (Berlin, N.H.) each had two hits with a double in game two, but Husson University was too strong for Plymouth State University, taking both ends of a non-conference double header at O'Keefe Field on Thursday afternoon.
The Eagles, who advanced to the regional championship last spring, were clicking on all cylinders in the opener as the starting pitcher was dominant from the get-go. She carved through the PSU lineup, allowing just an infield hit in a complete game 6-0 win.
PSU battled in game two, outhitting Husson by an 8-7 margin highlighted by three-hit games from Ly, Picard and junior
Nicole LeBrun (Concord, N.H.). PSU trailed just 3-1 after the top of the fourth, but the hosts added two more in the bottom of the inning for a 5-1 win.
Plymouth State slips to 11-11, while the Eagles move to 16-10.
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 0, Husson 6
- Game 2: Plymouth State 1, Husson 5
- Plymouth State (11-11)
- Husson (16-10)
How it Happened (Game One):
- The Eagles scored a pair of first inning runs with a two-out, two-run single to take an early lead, which was more than enough offense.
- The hosts added another two runs with two down in the second.
- Sophomore Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) got PSU's lone hit to start the fourth, then promptly stole second, but the Eagles' pitcher struck out the side.
- Sophomore Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) worked a walk in the fifth and freshman Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) took ball four in the sixth but that was the extent of the Panthers' offense.
- Meanwhile Husson added some insurance with another two runs in the fifth.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Montelongo had PSU's lone single, while Bessette and Macri reached base with walks.
- LeBrun gave up four earned runs over 4.2 innings, striking out four in the loss.
- Senior Sam McCann (Berlin, N.H.) threw 1.1 innings of scoreless ball in relief.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- PSU threatened with two down in the first when Ly singled and Picard followed with a base hit up the middle, but Ly was thrown out on her way to third.
- Husson grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second, then added an unearned run in the third.
- Picard rocked a double to open the fourth and freshman Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) followed with a one-out single to put runners on the corners with one out. After a pop out, LeBrun slapped an RBI single to right to cut the deficit to 3-1.
- The Eagles answered right back with two runs in the bottom of the frame.
- Ly socked a two-out double in the fifth, but a fly out ended the threat.
- Senior Rachyl Parslow (Temple, N.H.) and LeBrun had back-to-back, two-out singles in the sixth, but the duo was stranded, and PSU was unable to rally in the seventh.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Picard finished 2-for-3 with a double and single, while Ly doubled and singled in four at bats.
- LeBrun had a pair of singles in three at bats and drove in the Panthers' lone run.
- Graduate student Lauren Archambault (Rehoboth, Mass.) and Bessette drew walks.
- Junior Alyssa Wilson (Haverhill, Mass.) allowed two earned runs over four innings with a pair of strikeouts. McCann again was in control in relief, going two innings with four strikeouts and only two hits allowed.
- Husson has won all four meetings between the two teams.
Up Next:
- The Panthers return home for a Little East Conference (LEC) double header with UMass Boston on Saturday (Apr. 15). First pitch for game one is set for 1:00 p.m.
– 30 –
