PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) scored from first on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning as Plymouth State University rallied past Vermont State University Castleton to earn a split of a Little East Conference (LEC) softball double header at D&M Park on Tuesday evening.
On the back of a strong start from junior
Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.), the Panthers carried a 4-3 lead into the seventh inning. Castleton jumped in front with three unearned runs, but PSU displayed its fighting spirit in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back singles and a one-out hit by pitch loaded the bases and the patient Panthers worked consecutive walks to force in the tying runs. After a scoreless top of the eighth, Bessette drew a leadoff walk. Freshman
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, and Bessette, who got a great jump, aggressively went to third as the pitcher was late to cover the base. An errant throw went up the line allowing Bessette to score the winning run for a 7-6 victory.
The Spartans jumped out to a 7-2 lead in game one. Sophomore
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) beat out an infield hit with the bases loaded in the sixth and a Castleton error allowed a second run to score as PSU pulled within 7-4, but a flyout ended the rally and the Panthers were held off the scoreboard in the seventh.
Plymouth State moves to 14-20 (4-10 LEC), picking up the key split to keep its postseason hopes alive. Castleton moves to 15-15 (4-8 LEC) and is also locked in a battle for a spot in next week's LEC Tournament.
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 4, VTSU Castleton 7
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 7, VTSU Castleton 6 (8 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (14-20, 4-10 LEC)
- VTSU Castleton (15-15, 4-8 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- The Spartans pushed across five runs in the first two innings to grab the early lead.
- E. Bessette stroked a single to center and K. Bessette doubled her home to get the Panthers on the board in the third. Sophomore Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) drew a walk to put runners on the corners, but PSU was limited to just the one run.
- Plymouth State used a two-out rally to cut the deficit to 5-2 in the fourth. Junior Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) drew a walk and E. Bessette ripped a double to score the run.
- The visitors answered back with a two-out, two-run single to make it 7-2 in the fifth.
- Junior Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) singled in the sixth. With two down, E. Bessette smacked a single and Couch drew a walk to load the bases. K. Bessette beat out a single off the Castleton pitcher and a second run came home when the first baseman muffed the throw to pull within 7-4, but a flyout ended the rally.
- PSU was unable to put traffic on the bases in the seventh.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- E. Bessette went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
- K. Bessette singled and doubled in four at bats, driving in two.
- Couch and Nezuch each walked twice.
- The Panthers averaged 4.9 pitches per at bat, forcing the Castleton starter to throw 168 pitches.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- McGrath was in control from the start, striking out two in the opening inning.
- E. Bessette ripped a triple to the right centerfield gap to start the bottom of the frame and Couch drove her in with a ground ball.
- Castleton tied the score in the third and threatened for more, but McGrath worked out of a first-and-third with one down situation to keep the game tied.
- The Panthers came right back in the bottom of the frame to regain the lead. Montelongo drew a one-out walk and stole second. She moved to third on a fly ball and Couch made it 2-1 with a single to right. K. Bessette was hit by a pitch to extend the inning and PSU got another run on a Castleton error to make it 3-1.
- Plymouth State extended the margin in the fifth. Couch singled and stole second and K. Bessette followed with an RBI double to push the lead to 4-1.
- The Spartans pulled to within 4-3 with a pair of runs in the sixth, then scored three unearned runs in the seventh to jump ahead, 6-4.
- Couch and K. Bessette had back-to-back singles to start the bottom of the frame. With one down, freshman Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) was hit by a pitch to move the tying runners into scoring position and Macri and freshman Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) worked back-to-back walks to even the game at 6-6.
- E. Bessette took a walk to start the bottom of the eighth. Couch deadened a perfect bunt in front of the circle and the Castleton third baseman charged to make the play leaving the base uncovered. E. Bessette rounded second and made a beeline for third as the Spartans' pitcher attempted to get to the base, but she was late in arriving and an errant throw got past her and up the line allowing Bessette to score the winning run.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Couch finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI.
- K. Bessette singled and doubled, scored a run and drove in one.
- E. Bessette was on base twice with a triple and walk with two runs scored.
- Montelongo and Cray both walked twice.
- The Panthers stole four bases in the game.
- McGrath allowed just three earned runs over eight innings, striking out four in the game.
Up Next:
- The Panthers host the University of New England on Wednesday (May 1) in the final home games of the season. Game one is set for 3:30 p.m.
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