PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) had a pair of three-hit games, but Eastern Connecticut State University took both ends of a Little East Conference (LEC) softball double header against Plymouth State University at D&M Park on Saturday.
The Warriors raced out to a 4-0 lead in the opener. Plymouth State cut the deficit in half after RBI singles by freshman
Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) and junior
Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine), but ECSU answered right back with two in the next half inning. PSU loaded the bases in the fifth and had two on in the sixth but couldn't get the big hit to rally as the Warriors held on for a 7-2 win.
A walk and back-to-back singles gave PSU a quick 1-0 lead and forced a pitching change in game two. The Panthers added a run on a bases-loaded walk in the third, but ECSU had five bunt hits in a ten-run fourth to jump ahead. Plymouth State responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning and the score remained the same into the bottom of the seventh. PSU attempted to rally as four of the first five batters reached base and two runs scored to pull within 10-6, but ECSU got the final two outs to earn the sweep.
Between games, Plymouth State recognized its senior class in a brief on-field ceremony;
Abby Kenison (Boscawen, N.H.) and
Alyssa Wilson (Bradford, Mass.).
Plymouth State dips to 13-19 (3-9 LEC), while the Warriors go to 16-13-1 (8-4 LEC).
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 2, Eastern Connecticut 7
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 6, Eastern Connecticut 10
- Plymouth State (13-19, 3-9 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut (16-13-1, 8-4 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Eastern Connecticut got a two-out, three-run double to take a 4-0 lead in the first.
- Sophomore Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) smacked a double to start the bottom of the inning but was stranded there.
- PSU broke through in the fourth. K. Bessette singled and junior Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) drew a walk. Cray singled in a run and Montelongo's base hit made it 4-2.
- The Warriors got two runs back in the next half inning to make it 6-2.
- Freshman Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) walked and K. Bessette beat out an infield hit to put two on in the bottom of the fifth. Sophomore Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) smacked a two-strike single to right to load the bases, but the ECSU second baseman made a nice play on a popup to shallow center to retire the side.
- Cray singled and E. Bessette worked a two-out walk in the sixth, but a hard liner was snared by the second baseman to end the inning.
- K. Bessette singled to start the seventh, but the Warriors recorded the next three outs to end the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- K. Bessette went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
- Cray had two hits in three at bats and drove in a run.
- E. Bessette was on base three times with a double and two walks.
- Montelongo was also on base multiple times with a single and walk in two at bats. She added an RBI.
- Sophomore Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) struck out four in the complete game. Two of the Warriors runs were unearned.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- E. Bessette walked and Couch followed with a single to start the bottom of the first. K. Bessette ripped an RBI single to center and a fielding error left runners on second and third. Eastern Connecticut changed pitchers, though, and was able to escape the jam allowing just one run.
- The Panthers added another run in the third. With one down, Couch walked and K. Bessette reached on an infield hit. After the second out, Guertin and Cray worked back-to-back walks to force in a run for a 2-0 lead.
- Eastern Connecticut used small ball and soft contact to put up ten runs in the fourth. The Warriors had five well-placed bunt hits and some soft liners to the outfield to make it 10-2.
- PSU came right back in the bottom of the inning. The Panthers loaded the bases on a walk, error, and single and sophomore Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.) drove in a run with a single down the right field line. Freshman Cayleigh Adams (Hampton, N.H.) drew a pinch hit walk to force in another run to cut it to 10-4.
- Plymouth State had two on in the sixth, but a strikeout ended the inning.
- PSU continued to battle in the seventh. Kenison was hit by a pitch and freshman Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) ripped a double to the fence in left center. E. Bessette drove in a run with a single to right and Couch's infield hit made it 10-6 but that was as close as the Panthers would get.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- K. Bessette had another three-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a walk and RBI.
- Couch went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI.
- E. Bessette reached base twice with a single and walk, while Michaud was on base three times with a double and two walks and two runs scored.
- Wilson was fantastic in relief, allowing no hits and just one base runner in three innings of work.
Up Next:
- PSU hosts VTSU Castleton for a pair of LEC games on Tuesday (Apr. 30). Game one is set for a 3:30 p.m. start.
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