PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Alyssa Wilson (Bradford, Mass.) tossed a complete game shutout in game one as Plymouth State University split a non-conference double header with the University of New England at D&M Park on Wednesday.
Wilson was phenomenal in the opener, scattering just seven hits and striking out six. The Panthers plated the game's only run in the bottom of the first when freshman
Cayleigh Adams (Hampton, N.H.) walked, stole second and came around on a base hit from classmate
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas). UNE's best chance came with two on and one out in the third, but Wilson helped herself by getting the lead runner on a comebacker before retiring the side with a strikeout.
Both sides scored twice in the first inning of game two. Plymouth State took a 3-2 lead when freshman
Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) singled home classmate
Kaya Kaplan (Kinnelon, N.J.) in the second, but UNE plated a run in the third to square things at 3-3. The Nor'easters went back in front with a run in the seventh, but sophomore
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) drove in the tying run with two outs in the bottom of the inning. The visitors were able to plate an unearned run in the eighth. PSU looked poised to answer back with runners on second and third and no outs in the bottom of the inning, but the UNE pitcher recorded three straight strikeouts to hold on for the 5-4 decision.
Plymouth State moves to 15-21 while the Nor'easters go to 12-26.
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 1, UNE 0
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 4, UNE 5 (8 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (15-21)
- UNE (12-26)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Plymouth State struck early as Adams drew a leadoff walk and stole second. Couch smacked a two-out single to center for a 1-0 lead.
- The Nor'easters got a leadoff hit in the second, but Wilson retired the next three batters.
- UNE threatened in the third, but Larson threw out a would-be base-stealer at second and with runners on first and second, Wilson made a nice play on a comebacker to get the lead runner at third before a strikeout ended the inning.
- Freshman Lauren Laudani (Londonderry, N.H.) walked and sophomore Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.) singled to put two on in the fourth, but UNE got a pop up and caught stealing to retire the side.
- Plymouth State looked for some insurance in the sixth as Larson and Wells both singled but a ground ball ended the threat.
- The Nor'easters got a one-out single and the ball got past the PSU outfielder to allow the runner to get to third, but Wilson buckled down to get two shallow fly balls to wrap up the win.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Wilson allowed just seven hits while striking out six in the complete game shutout.
- Wells finished 2-for-3 with a stolen base.
- Freshman Ashley Trogler (Rochester, N.H.) reached base twice with a single and walk.
- The Panthers stole three bases in the game.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- UNE jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
- Couch singled between a pair of walks to load the bases in the bottom of the inning. Wells drew a walk to force in a run and freshman Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) tied the game with a base hit.
- Kaplan ripped a single to center to start the bottom of the second. She moved up to third on a bunt and ground out. Couch walked and stole second and Larson smacked a single to center for a 3-2 lead.
- The Nor'easters tied the game in the top of the third.
- Adams walked and sophomore Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) beat out a bunt single to put two runners on in the fourth. A walk loaded the bases, but UNE wriggled out of the jam.
- The visitors got a runner to third with two down in the fifth, but sophomore Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) caught the batter looking to retire the side.
- Freshman Samantha Durrenberger (Antioch, Calif.) made a great defensive play in the top of the seventh. The leadoff batter ripped a ball just inside the left field line and took a strange bounce off the fence. Durrenberger corralled it and threw a strike to third to nail the runner. The play loomed large as UNE would score a run later in the frame for a 4-3 lead.
- Wells ripped a single to start the bottom of the inning and pinch runner Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) moved to third on a bunt and ground out. K. Bessette pinch hit and beat out an infield hit to tie the game and an error allowed her to move into scoring position, but a strikeout ended the frame.
- UNE scored the automatic runner in the top of the eighth to go ahead, 5-4.
- E. Bessette reached on a bunt hit to advance PSU's automatic runner to third in the bottom of the inning, then promptly stole second to put the winning run in scoring position, but the UNE pitcher came back with three consecutive strikeouts to hold on for the win.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- E. Bessette went 2-for-4 with a walk and run scored.
- Wells singled twice, walked once, and drove in a run.
- Couch reached twice on a single and walk and stole a pair of bases.
- Michaud and junior Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) both reached base twice. Michaud singled and walked while Macri drew a pair of base on balls.
- Sophomore Celeste Fuccillo (Everett, Mass.) went the first three innings. Antrim allowed just one hit over her two innings of work.
- Laudani was saddled with the loss despite allowing just one earned run over three solid innings of work. She struck out three.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State closes out the regular season with a huge Little East Conference (LEC) twin bill at Keene State on Saturday (May 4). Game one is set for 11:00 a.m.
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