PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) and sophomore
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) delivered RBI hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to lift Plymouth State University to a 4-3, come-from-behind win over the University of Massachusetts Boston in game one of a Little East Conference doubleheader at D&M Park on Saturday. The Beacons used a four-run fifth inning to take game two, 5-1, and earn the split.
The Beacons opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first, but senior
Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) came up with a key strikeout to strand two runners in scoring position. PSU tied it up in the bottom half. UMB held a 3-1 lead going into the fourth, but Bessette's infield single cut the deficit to one. She came up big again in the sixth with a clutch, two-out RBI single to tie the game, and two batters later Couch drove in the go-ahead run. McGrath worked around a two-out single in the seventh to secure the win.
In game two, senior
Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) was hit by a pitch to lead off the third. She advanced on a bunt and a wild pitch before scoring on Bessette's sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. The Beacons responded in the fifth with three straight hits to tie the game and load the bases. Junior
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) snagged a line drive for the second out and nearly escaped the jam, but a two-strike, three-run double gave UMB a 4-1 advantage. The visitors added an insurance run in the sixth, and PSU was unable to mount a comeback.
Plymouth State ends the day at 17-10 (5-3 LEC), while UMass Boston moves to 25-4-1 (6-3-1 LEC).
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 4, UMass Boston 3
- Game 2: Plymouth State 1, UMass Boston 5
- Plymouth State (17-10, 5-3 LEC)
- UMass Boston (25-4-1, 6-3-1 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- UMass Boston opened the scoring with three base hits in the first, but McGrath limited the damage with a key strikeout.
- Junior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) drew a one-out walk in the bottom half. Couch singled, and another walk loaded the bases. Junior Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
- The Beacons went ahead 2-1 on a wild pitch, then added an unearned run in the fourth for a 3-1 lead.
- PSU answered in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) doubled with one out and stole third. With runners on the corners, K. Bessette's infield single made it 3-2.
- McGrath retired the side in order in the fifth and sixth, setting up the Panthers' rally. Guertin led off the sixth with a single and moved to second on a bunt. With two outs, K. Bessette singled to center to tie the game, and Couch followed with a base hit to give PSU the lead.
- Montelongo made a pair of impressive plays on hard grounders for two quick outs in the seventh, and E. Bessette secured the win by snaring a line drive with the tying run on base.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- McGrath earned the complete game win, allowing six hits and just two earned runs while striking out four. She retired 11 straight batters at one point.
- K. Bessette went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.
- E. Bessette tied a program record by walking four times.
- Couch reached base three times (two singles, one walk) and had one RBI.
- Guertin tallied a multi-hit game with a double, a single, and two runs scored.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- UMass Boston threatened in the first with back-to-back hits and loaded the bases, but senior Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.) made a solid play on a foul popup to end the inning.
- E. Bessette walked in the bottom half – her fifth straight plate appearance resulting in a walk.
- Montelongo was hit by a pitch to start the third, then advanced on a bunt and wild pitch before scoring on K. Bessette's sac fly for a 1-0 lead.
- The Beacons tied it in the fifth with a walk and three consecutive singles. Antrim caught a line drive for the second out but couldn't escape the jam, as a two-strike, bases-clearing double gave UMB a 4-1 edge.
- Macri recorded PSU's lone hit – a hard smash to first base in the fifth – but was stranded.
- UMB added another run in the sixth and kept PSU off the board the rest of the way.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Macri had PSU's lone hit.
- E. Bessette and junior Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.) both drew walks.
- Antrim had a solid start in the circle before UMB's fifth-inning surge.
- Nezuch struck out two in two innings of relief.
Up Next:
- The Panthers remain home for a conference doubleheader with Southern Maine on Tuesday (Apr. 22). Game one is slated for a 3:00 p.m. start.
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