PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) didn't allow an earned run and gave up just two hits but Rhode Island College spoiled the home opener for Plymouth State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) softball double header at D&M Park on Tuesday.
Antrim was outstanding in the opener and Plymouth State took a 1-0 lead when sophomore
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) scored on a RIC throwing error in the fourth. The Anchorwomen took advantage of an error to start the sixth and a two-out, bases loaded single gave the visitors a 2-1 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
RIC jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first of a wild game two, but junior
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) drove in a pair in the bottom of the frame and the Panthers pulled off a double steal to cut the margin to 4-3 after one. The visitors added on with runs in each of the next two innings to extend the lead to 8-3. Plymouth State got a run back in the third, then pulled even with a four-run fourth to knot the game at 8-8. The Anchorwomen answered right back the next half inning to go ahead for good before closing out the sweep with a 17-9 win.
Plymouth State slips to 8-14 (0-6 LEC), while RIC runs its record to 23-3 (6-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 1, Rhode Island College 2
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 9, Rhode Island College 17
- Plymouth State (8-14, 0-6 LEC)
- Rhode Island College (23-3, 6-0 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- RIC loaded the bases with two down in the second, but junior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) made a nice running catch on a ball to the right centerfield gap to keep the game scoreless.
- Junior Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) was robbed of extra bases in the bottom of the inning when the RIC left fielder made a diving snag on her hard liner.
- The Anchorwomen flashed the leather in the third as well when the third baseman caught a screaming line drive off the bat of senior Abby Kenison (Boscawen, N.H.).
- Bessette led off the bottom of the fourth with a single to right center and she moved to second on a passed ball. Guertin smashed a hard line drive to center to put runners on the corners and an error allowed Bessette to score for a 1-0 lead.
- RIC caught a pair of lucky breaks to pull ahead in the top of the sixth. A miscue helped the Anchorwomen load the bases and with two away, a perfectly placed popup between shortstop and left field plated two runs as the visitors went in front, 2-1.
- The RIC right fielder was able to snare a hot shot off the bat of Guertin with a runner on in the sixth to preserve the lead and PSU was unable to rally in the seventh.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Antrim was the hard luck losing pitcher after not allowing an earned run in seven innings. She surrendered just two hits.
- Bessette went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Guertin and Kenison also had singles for the Panthers.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- RIC took advantage of two infield hits and a walk to load the bases in the top of the first. A walk and hot shot to center plated three runs and the Anchorwomen would add another for a quick 4-0 lead.
- The Panthers drew back-to-back walks to start the bottom of the inning and a wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. With two down another free pass loaded the bases and Ly smacked a two-run single to right. PSU pulled off a successful double steal to cut the deficit to 4-3.
- The Anchorwomen scratched across two runs in the second and a pair of unearned runs in the third to extend the margin to 8-3.
- A pair of walks and an RBI single from sophomore Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) trimmed the deficit to 8-4 after three.
- Bessette smashed a double to open the bottom of the fourth and twin sister Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) reached on a bunt hit and took second as nobody was covering the base. A wild throw from the RIC pitcher allowed both runners to score to pull within 8-6. Guertin singled and stole second and Ly worked a two-out walk before Macri's double tied the game.
- RIC struck back in the next half inning. After two quick outs, a solo homer to left put the visitors back in front and they would add three more for a 12-8 lead.
- The Anchorwomen used another two-out rally to score a pair of unearned runs in the sixth.
- Plymouth State threatened in the bottom of the inning with a two-out rally of its own. Senior Alyssa Wilson (Bradford, Mass.) walked and Ly singled. Freshman Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) and Cray also drew walks to force in a run to make it 14-9, but that was all the Panthers would get.
- RIC tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh to account for the final score.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- E. Bessette reached three times with a single, double and walk.
- Ly also had a two-hit game while scoring once and driving in two.
- Macri and Cray also drove in a pair of runs.
Up Next:
- The Panthers are home again on Thursday (Apr. 18) when Husson comes to town for a pair of non-conference games. First pitch of the opener is set for 3:30 p.m.
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