PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) allowed just two hits through the first six innings, and senior
Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) picked up her first career save as Plymouth State University held off the University of Southern Maine, 3-1, in game two of a Little East Conference (LEC) softball doubleheader at D&M Park on Tuesday. The Huskies eked out a 5-2 win in game one, and the teams settled for a split.
PSU took a first-inning lead on an RBI single from senior
Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) in game one, but the Huskies erupted for four runs in the fifth to pull in front. The Panthers loaded the bases in the sixth but managed just one run, and Southern Maine answered with a two-out RBI hit in the seventh to make it 5-2. Junior
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) tripled to right-center to lead off the bottom of the inning but was left stranded as USM held on for the win.
Both pitchers were in control from the onset in game two. K. Bessette singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch before junior
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) walked and stole second to start the fourth. Ly delivered a two-run single to give PSU the lead. The Panthers added another run in the sixth, taking advantage of a pair of USM errors. Southern Maine attempted to rally in the seventh, stringing together three straight singles to plate a run and put runners on the corners, but McGrath came on in relief, cleanly fielded a sharp comebacker for an out at the plate, and the defense turned a game-ending double play to secure the win.
Plymouth State moves to 18-11 (6-4 LEC), while Southern Maine goes to 16-14 (7-3 LEC).
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 2, Southern Maine 5
- Game 2: Plymouth State 3, Southern Maine 1
- Plymouth State (18-11, 6-4 LEC)
- Southern Maine (16-14, 7-3 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- E. Bessette walked, moved to second on a ground out, and scored on Ly's two-out single in the first as PSU took a 1-0 lead.
- The Panthers had two on with one out in the third, but USM notched a pair of strikeouts to escape the jam.
- Senior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) singled to start the fourth but was stranded at third.
- Southern Maine's bats came alive in the fifth, scoring four times to pull ahead.
- Plymouth State got one run back in the sixth. Junior Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) singled and Guertin walked. An error loaded the bases, and a sacrifice fly from senior Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) brought in a run, but that was all PSU would manage.
- USM added a two-out RBI single in the seventh to restore a three-run cushion.
- K. Bessette tripled to the fence in right-center to open the bottom of the seventh but was stranded there.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- K. Bessette went 2-for-4 with a single and a triple.
- E. Bessette walked and scored a run.
- Ly finished 1-for-4 with an RBI.
- Guertin reached twice with a single and a walk.
- McGrath threw a complete game, allowing seven hits and four earned while striking out four.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Plymouth State opened the scoring in the fourth. K. Bessette singled, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and E. Bessette followed with a walk and a steal. Ly's one-out single made it 2-0.
- In the sixth, K. Bessette reached on a bunt single, advanced to second on a wild throw, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on another USM throwing error to extend the lead to 3-0.
- Southern Maine mounted a rally in the seventh, using three straight hits to pull within 3-1 and put runners on the corners. McGrath entered in relief, cleanly fielded a sharp comebacker to cut down the lead runner at the plate, and the next batter hit a hard grounder to third. Montelongo scooped it, stepped on the bag, and fired across the diamond for a game-ending double play.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- K. Bessette tallied another two-hit game, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
- E. Bessette walked and scored a run.
- Ly went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
- Montelongo collected PSU's other hit.
- Antrim struck out four and allowed just one run on five hits over six-plus innings.
- McGrath earned her first career save, needing just five pitches to record the final three outs.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State wraps up its six-game homestand with a non-conference doubleheader against UMaine Farmington on Thursday (Apr. 24). Game one is set for a 3:00 p.m. start.
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