PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) matched a career-high with five RBIs in game one, but Husson University rallied past Plymouth State University in a non-conference softball double header at D&M Park on Thursday.
Plymouth State used a five-run rally to erase a 7-3 deficit in the bottom of the sixth of the opener. Macri came up with a clutch two-out, two-run base hit to give the Panthers an 8-7 lead, but Husson answered back with two in the top of the seventh. Freshman
Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) walked to start the bottom of the inning but was stranded at second as the Eagles took the 9-8 win.
Husson's pitcher was on point in game two. Freshman
Samantha Durrenberger (Antioch, Calif.) walked in the third and junior
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) singled in the fourth but that was all the offense could muster as the Eagles took game two, 9-0, in five innings.
Plymouth State slips to 8-16, while the Eagles move to 16-4.
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 8, Husson 9
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 0, Husson 9 (5 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (8-16)
- Husson (16-4)
How it Happened (Game One):
- The Panthers loaded the bases in the first on a walk and singles from freshman Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) and sophomore Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.), but the Eagles cut down the lead runner at the plate and retired the next two batters to keep the game scoreless.
- Husson plated single runs in the second and third to take a 2-0 lead.
- Bessette smacked a grounds rule double down the left field line to start the third and Macri knocked her in with a well-executed safety squeeze.
- The Eagles pushed three runs across in the fifth to extend the margin to 5-1.
- PSU came right back in the bottom half. Three straight walks loaded the bases, but a screaming line drive from freshman Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) was snagged by the first baseman and the runner at first was doubled off. Macri came through with a key two-run single to center to cut the deficit to 5-3.
- Husson struck back with two in the sixth to make it 7-3 but the Panthers rallied in the bottom half. Michaud singled and moved up on a wild pitch and sophomore Ashley Trogler (Rochester, N.H.) walked. Durrenberger loaded the bases with a single to right and a Husson error kept the bases full as a run scored. A fielder's choice allowed another run to score.
- Bessette walked to reload the bases and Larson's groundout made it a 7-6 game. Macri followed with a clutch single through the middle as the Panthers jumped ahead, 8-7.
- The Eagles battled back with a leadoff triple and bloop single to tie the game and later in the frame a sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 9-8 lead.
- Michaud worked a leadoff walk and stole second with two outs, but the big hit eluded the Panthers.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Bessette reached base four times with a single, double and two walks. She scored a pair of runs.
- Macri also had a multi-hit game after going 2-for-3. She matched a career high with five RBIs.
- Freshman Cayleigh Adams (Hampton, N.H.) reached base four times in the leadoff spot, drawing three walks and reaching on an error. She scored twice and drove in a run.
- Plymouth State hitters drew nine walks.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Husson pushed a pair of runs across in the top of the first and the Eagles doubled the lead in the third.
- The visitors erupted for four runs in the fourth to extend the margin to 8-0.
- Ly poked a single up the middle in the bottom of the frame but was stranded at second.
- The Eagles tacked on a run in the fifth and Plymouth State was unable to extend the game in the bottom of the inning.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Ly's single was the Panthers' only hit, as the Husson pitcher was in a groove.
- Durrenberger drew a walk for PSU's other baserunner.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State wraps up its homestand with a Little East Conference double header on Saturday (Apr. 20). Game one against WestConn is set for a noon start.
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