NASHUA, N.H. – Sophomore
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) had four hits and drove in five runs while scoring three times to help Plymouth State University sweep Rivier University in a non-conference twin bill at Raider Diamond on Wednesday.
Bessette roped a two-run double as part of a five-run fifth inning as PSU raced out to a 7-0 lead in game one. Sophomore
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) was in complete control early, holding the Raiders without a hit through the first 4.1 innings. Rivier exploded with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 7-7 and the score would remain tied into the seventh inning. Freshman
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) smashed a one-out double and came around to score the winning run on a Raiders' error and sophomore
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) slammed the door in the bottom of the frame for an 8-7 win.
Plymouth State came out swinging to put a crooked number on the board in the top of the first of game two. The Panthers banged out six hits after opening the frame with a pair of walks to grab a 7-0 lead. Freshman
Samantha Durrenberger (Antioch, Calif.) and sophomore
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) ripped two-out, two-run singles to build the early advantage. The Raiders would score three in the bottom of the third, but senior
Alyssa Wilson (Bradford, Mass.) wouldn't allow another run as PSU wrapped up the sweep with a rain-shortened, 10-3 win as the game was called with a runner on and nobody out in the top of the seventh.
Plymouth State jumps to 8-10, while the Raiders move to 8-10.
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 8, Rivier 7
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 10, Rivier 3 (Game called, top 7)
- Plymouth State (8-10)
- Rivier (8-10)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Plymouth State jumped out to an early lead with a pair of unearned runs in the first. With two away, K. Bessette walked and stole second before coming around to score on a Raiders' throwing error. Junior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) followed with a double to left to make it 2-0.
- Antrim allowed just a third inning walk through her first four innings of work.
- Freshman Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) ripped a double to start the fifth and after a wild pitch, a sacrifice fly extended the lead to 3-0. Sophomore Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.) reached on an infield hit and E. Bessette reached on a two-base error to put runners on second and third.
- Couch kept the pressure on with an RBI single to right and K. Bessette drove in a pair with a double to the right centerfield gap. Guertin capped the big inning with a run scoring single to push the margin to 7-0.
- Antrim induced a popout to start the fifth but lost her no-hit bid on an infield hit. The next five batters all reached as the hosts exploded for seven runs to square the game.
- Couch smacked a one-out double to left in the seventh. After a strikeout, Nezuch reached on a throwing error by the pitcher that allowed Couch to plate the go ahead run.
- Nezuch closed out the win in the circle, retiring the side in order without allowing a ball out of the infield.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Guertin finished with three hits, including a double, and drove in two.
- Couch went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI, while K. Bessette doubled and walked while scoring twice and knocking in two.
- Antrim ended up allowing four earned in 4.1 innings.
- Nezuch needed just 12 pitches to record the final eight outs, allowing just one unearned run to pick up the win.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- E. Bessette and Couch worked back-to-back walks to start the game and K. Bessette singled for a 1-0 lead.
- After a strikeout, junior Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) drove in a run with a single and classmate Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) made it 3-0 when she reached on an error. Sophomore Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) singled to load the bases, but Rivier got a strikeout for the second out of the inning.
- Durrenberger followed with a two-run single, though, and E. Bessette drove in two more with a base hit for a quick 7-0 lead.
- Plymouth State got another run home in the third. A hit batter and walk put the first two hitters on base, but Rivier got a fly ball and E. Bessette's fielder's choice for two outs. E. Bessette stole second and Couch poked a single through the right side to score a run, but the trail runner was thrown out at the plate.
- The Raiders battled back with three runs in the bottom half to pull within 8-3.
- K. Bessette ripped a two-run double to score Durrenberger and Couch in the top of the sixth as PSU extended the lead to 10-3.
- Cray walked and moved to second on a passed ball to lead off the seventh before the umpires called the game.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Wilson struck out six and allowed just five hits and three earned to pick up the complete game win.
- K. Bessette had a three-hit game with a double, two singles, three RBI and a run scored. She also stole a base.
- E. Bessette and Couch both finished 2-for-3 with a walk. E. Bessette scored once and drove in two, while Couch scored twice with one RBI.
- Durrenberger also had a two-hit game, finishing with a pair of singles in three at bats. She drove in two and scored twice.
- PSU improves to 4-2 in the all-time series. The Panthers have won each of the last three games.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to UMass Dartmouth for a Little East Conference (LEC) double header on Saturday (Apr. 13). Game one is set for a 1:00 p.m. start.
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