MILTON, Mass. – Juniors
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) and
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) combined to allow just one earned run over 14 innings as Plymouth State University swept Curry College in a non-conference softball doubleheader at D. Forbes Will Field on Wednesday.
Antrim limited Curry to three hits and no earned runs as the Panthers held on for a 4-3 win in game one. PSU built a 4-1 lead through five innings, but Curry scored twice in the sixth and had the tying run in scoring position with one out Antrim, however, recorded back-to-back outs to preserve the lead before closing out the game in the seventh.
Nezuch followed with a strong performance of her own, pitching a complete game and allowing just one earned run allowed as PSU completed the sweep with a 7-5 victory. Nezuch helped her own cause with an RBI double, while sophomore
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) launched a two-run homer in a four-run fourth inning that gave the Panthers a 7-1 advantage. Curry capitalized on a pair of PSU miscues to cut the deficit to 7-5 and put the tying runs on base in the seventh, but Nezuch induced a routine flyout to seal the win.
Plymouth State moves to 11-6, while the Colonels drop to 9-9.
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 4, Curry 3
- Game 2: Plymouth State 7, Curry 5
- Plymouth State (11-6)
- Curry (9-9)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Junior Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) led off with an infield single, then stole second and third. Junior Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.) drove her in with an infield hit for a 1-0 lead.
- Senior Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) sparked a two-out rally in the second with a single up the middle. She stole second and scored on an error to make it 2-0.
- Montelongo later doubled with two outs in the fourth but was stranded.
- Curry got on the board with an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth.
- PSU responded with two runs in the fifth. Junior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) walked, and Couch singled before both advanced on a bunt. A hit batter loaded the bases, and senior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) brought home a run on a fielder's choice. Couch also scored on another Curry error, pushing the lead to 4-1.
- The Colonels plated two unearned runs in the sixth and had runners on first and second with one out, but Antrim retired the next two batters to maintain the lead.
- Antrim worked around a two-out single in the seventh to secure the victory.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- K. Bessette went 2-for-4 with a run scored and stole four bases.
- E. Bessette walked twice and scored once.
- Couch reached base three times (single, two walks) and scored a run.
- Montelongo singled and doubled in four at bats.
- Antrim tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and striking out five.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- A hit batter ignited PSU's second-inning rally. Sophomore Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) singled, and Nezuch followed with an RBI double to center. K. Bessette later drove in two with a double for a 3-0 lead.
- Curry responded with an unearned run in the third, but K. Bessette added another two-run double before Couch crushed her fourth home run of the season, making it 7-1.
- The Colonels answered with three unearned runs in the fourth and added a two-out RBI double in the fifth to pull within 7-5.
- Curry threatened again in the seventh, putting the tying runs on base with a walk and single, but Nezuch induced a routine flyout to clinch the sweep.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- K. Bessette reached base three times (two doubles, walk), scored once, and drove in four runs.
- Couch launched her fourth home run of the year.
- Nezuch went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. She also improved to 3-0 in the circle, allowing just one earned run in a complete game effort.
- It was the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Up Next:
- PSU heads to Lesley University for a pair of games on Saturday (Apr. 5). First pitch for game one is set for noon.
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