CLERMONT, Fla. – Plymouth State University posted two dominant performances, winning 11-4 against the University of Chicago and 16-5 against SUNY Old Westbury in a pair of softball games at
THE Spring Games at Hancock Park on Sunday.
Junior
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) had four hits, including two doubles, and scored three runs, while senior
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) drove in four runs to help PSU roll past the Maroons. Ly drove two runs in the first inning as the Panthers grabbed a 4-0 lead. Ly and sophomore
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) both homered in a three-run sixth inning, and Bessette added a two-run double in the seventh for the convincing win.
The bats stayed hot in game two as Plymouth State scored in every offensive inning. The Panthers plated four runs in both the first and second innings, added a sacrifice fly from Ly in the third, and exploded for seven runs in the fourth, capped off by Couch's grand slam, to secure the win in five innings.
Plymouth State improves to 3-1, while Chicago drops to 3-5, and Old Westbury falls to 0-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 11, Chicago 4
- Plymouth State 16, Old Westbury 5 (5 Inn.)
- Plymouth State (3-1)
- Chicago (3-5)
- Old Westbury (0-2)
How it Happened (Chicago):
- Ly ripped a two-run single in the top of the first, scoring both K. Bessette and junior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.). Senior Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) made it 3-0 with an RBI single, and junior Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) raced home on a wild pitch to add to the lead.
- Chicago responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, then cut the deficit to 4-2 in the third.
- Sophomore Samantha Durrenberger (Antioch, Calif.) drew a leadoff walk in the top of the fourth. She scored on K. Bessette's double, and E. Bessette followed with an RBI single to push the lead back to 6-2.
- Plymouth State broke the game open with back-to-back homers in the sixth. K. Bessette singled with one out, and Ly blasted a two-run homer to make it 8-2. Couch followed with a homer of her own for a seven-run advantage.
- The Maroons got one back in the bottom of the inning, but K. Bessette tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh with another double, extending the lead to 11-3.
- Chicago hit a home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to account for the final score.
By the Numbers (Chicago):
- K. Bessette led the charge, going 4-for-5 with three runs, three RBIs, two doubles, and a steal.
- Ly powered the offense with a two-run homer and four RBIs on a 2-for-4 day.
- Couch added to the fireworks with her first career home run.
- E. Bessette went 2-for-4 with an RBI and stolen base.
- Junior Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) went the distance, scattering seven hits and allowing just three earned runs for the complete game win.
- PSU totaled 13 hits in the game.
- The Panthers last win over Chicago came during the 1992 season.
How it Happened (Old Westbury):
- Old Westbury took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Plymouth State quickly answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by RBI doubles from Couch and senior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.).
- Old Westbury fought back, scoring four runs of its own in the top of the second to reclaim the lead, 5-4.
- PSU surged ahead again with another four-run inning behind E. Bessette's two-run single, a run-scoring single by Couch, and an RBI groundout from junior Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.), making it 8-5.
- PSU added another run, 9-5, in the third on Ly's sacrifice fly.
- A huge seven-run inning sealed the game for the Panthers in the fourth. Couch went deep for the second straight game, this time blasting a grand slam, while Wells and freshman Eva Zuber (Lakeville, Mass.) also drove in runs as the score ballooned to 16-5.
- Plymouth State closed out the game with a 1-2-3 inning to secure the run-rule victory.
By the Numbers (Old Westbury):
- Couch exploded at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a homer and double, driving in a career-high six runs and scoring three times.
- K. Bessette remained a sparkplug at the top of the lineup with a 3-for-4 effort. She scored four runs and swiped two bases.
- E. Bessette reached base three times (single, two walks) and drove in three runs.
- Guertin went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, while Wells drove in three runs.
- Freshman Marin Agbay (Shrewsbury, Mass.) walked twice and scored two runs.
- Senior Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) earned the win in relief, pitching 3.1 innings of shutout ball. She allowed just one hit and struck out three, completely shutting down Old Westbury after its early rally.
- PSU recorded 12 hits and drew ten walks to overwhelm Old Westbury.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State looks to continue its strong start on Monday (Mar. 17) when the Panthers match up against Trinity College and Wellesley College.
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