KEENE, N.H. – Junior
Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) allowed just an unearned run over six innings and senior
Alyssa Wilson (Bradford, Mass.) earned her first save of the year as Plymouth State University split a Little East Conference (LEC) double header with Keene State College at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.
McGrath scattered five hits and surrendered just an unearned run in the second in an outstanding performance in the circle. Plymouth State grabbed two quick runs in the top of the first, but the Owls got one back in the second. PSU quickly answered right back as sophomore
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) singled, stole a base and scored on a base hit by junior
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.), and Ly would later score on a ground out for a 4-1 lead. That would prove to be more than enough for McGrath, who gave up just a pair of singles and retired nine straight at one point. Wilson came on to retire the side in the seventh for the save.
The Owls took a 2-0 lead in the third, but junior
Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) and senior
Abby Kenison (Boscawen, N.H.) drew bases-loaded walks to tie the game in the next half inning. The hosts struck back in the bottom of the fourth to go back in front, 4-2. Plymouth State mounted a rally in the seventh as a walk and error quickly put the tying runs on base. A bunt moved them into scoring position and a hit batter loaded the bases before sophomore
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) took ball four to make it a one-run game. Keene State went to the bullpen and escaped the jam to hold on for a 4-3 win.
Plymouth State ends the season at 16-22 (5-11 LEC), while the Owls wrap up the year with a 9-31 mark (3-13 LEC).
The Basics:
- GAME ONE: Plymouth State 3, Keene State 4
- GAME TWO: Plymouth State 4, Keene State 1
- Plymouth State (16-22, 5-11 LEC)
- Keene State (9-31, 3-13 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Keene State took a 2-0 lead in the third.
- The Panthers pulled even in the next half inning. Bessette reached on an error and quickly stole second. After back-to-back flyouts, a wild pitch, walk and steal left runners on second and third. Nezuch drew a base-on-balls to load the bases and Montelongo and Kenison both took ball four knot the game at 2-2.
- The Owls scratched across two runs in the bottom of the frame to go back into the lead, 4-2.
- Plymouth State threatened with two down in the fifth as Ly and freshman Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) ripped singles, but a popup ended the rally.
- Freshman Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) walked and Bessette reached on an error before they were bunted into scoring position. Keene State got the second out of the inning on a ground ball, but junior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nezuch drew a walk to make it a 4-3 game and put the tying run on third, but the Owls went to the bullpen and got a strikeout to end the game.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Ly went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
- Couch singled, walked and scored a run.
- Nezuch and Montelongo both walked twice and drove in a run.
- Sophomore Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) struck out two over the first four innings, while Wilson allowed just one hit while striking out three over the last two frames.
- PSU stole four bases in the game.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Sophomore Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) pulled a single to left to open the game and K. Bessette drew a one-out walk. The pair moved up on a double steal and a Keene State error allowed both runners to score as PSU grabbed an early 2-0 lead.
- Keene State scored an unearned run in the second to cut the lead in half, but the Panthers answered right back the next half inning.
- K. Bessette singled and stole second and Ly followed with a run-scoring hit. Ly moved up to second on the throw and a pair of ground outs allowed her to cross the plate for a 4-1 lead.
- McGrath gave up a single to start the third before retiring the next nine consecutive batters.
- The Owls put two runners on to start the sixth, but McGrath worked out of trouble with a strikeout and pair of outs in the air.
- Wilson relieved in the seventh and worked around a one-out double to pick up the save.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Couch went 3-for-4 with a stolen base.
- K. Bessette reached base four times with two singles and a pair of walks. She scored twice.
- Ly went 1-for 4 with an RBI and run scored, while E. Bessette singled, walked and stole two bases while scoring a run.
- McGrath allowed five hits and didn't surrender an earned run over her six innings of work to end the year with a 6-4 record.
- Wilson picked up her first save of the year.
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