PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) and junior
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) each threw complete games as Plymouth State University swept Keene State College in a Little East Conference (LEC) softball doubleheader on
Senior Day at D&M Park on Saturday.
McGrath was in complete control from the first pitch, allowing just four base runners and no earned runs in a 5-1 win, needing only 77 pitches to carve through the Owls' lineup. Senior
Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) had two hits, and classmate
Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) drove in the go-ahead run in the fourth as PSU rallied from a 1-0 deficit. The Panthers tacked on insurance runs in the fifth and sixth to secure the victory.
Antrim was equally impressive in game two, scattering three hits for a complete game shutout. Plymouth State capitalized on three unearned runs in the bottom of the first – more than enough for Antrim – en route to a 6-0 win. Ly finished with three RBIs, while three different Panthers had multi-hit games.
Between games, Plymouth State honored its senior class for its commitment and contributions to the program;
Ashley Trogler (Rochester, N.H.),
Caroline Macri (Burlington, Mass.),
Emma Lord (North Reading, Mass.), Montelongo, McGrath, Ly, and Guertin.
Plymouth State improves to 25-14 (9-7 LEC) and clinches the No. 3 seed for next week's LEC Tournament. Keene State wraps up its season with a 16-22 (5-11 LEC) record.
The Basics:
- Game 1: Plymouth State 5, Keene State 1
- Game 2: Plymouth State 6, Keene State 0
- Plymouth State (25-14, 9-7 LEC)
- Keene State (16-22, 5-11 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- McGrath needed just seven pitches to retire the side in the first, and PSU turned a double play to erase a one-out baserunner in the second.
- Montelongo ripped a one-out single down the left field line in the third and was bunted to second but stranded there.
- The Owls grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth.
- Junior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the inning and was bunted over. Ly singled to right center to put runners on the corners, and junior Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Guertin followed with a base hit to left to score Ly and give PSU a 2-1 lead.
- In the fifth, junior Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) dropped a two-out double down the left field line, and E. Bessette and sophomore Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) followed with RBI singles to push the lead to 4-1.
- Nezuch's leadoff walk in the sixth led to an insurance run. Trogler came on to pinch run, moved up on a wild pitch, and scored on a two-out single by Montelongo.
- McGrath worked around a two-out single in the seventh to close out the win.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- McGrath tossed a dominant complete game, striking out four and allowing just three hits and an unearned run on 77 pitches.
- Montelongo finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.
- E. Bessette reached twice with a single and a walk, scoring twice and driving in a run.
- K. Bessette recorded the game's lone extra base hit, a double, and scored a run.
- Seven different Panthers tallied hits, with five players driving in runs.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- PSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. K. Bessette reached on an error, and E. Bessette singled. Ly drove in a run with a ground out, and Guertin made it 2-0 on a fielder's choice. The Panthers added another run on an Owls' miscue to extend the lead to 3-0.
- Junior Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) and K. Bessette singled in the second but were stranded.
- Plymouth State added on in the fourth. Cray pulled a one-out single down the left field line, and K. Bessette drew a walk. E. Bessette followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-0. After a runner was cut down at home on a fielder's choice, Ly tripled to center to drive in two more for a 6-0 advantage.
- PSU threatened again following Nezuch's leadoff double in the fifth, but Keene State worked out of the jam.
- Antrim retired 11 of the final 12 batters she faced to lock down the win.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Antrim struck out three in a seven-inning complete game shutout, allowing just three singles and a walk.
- K. Bessette went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
- E. Bessette singled and doubled, scoring twice and driving in a run.
- Ly finished with a triple and three RBIs in four at-bats.
- Cray went a perfect 2-for-2 with a run scored.
- Nezuch also reached base twice with a double and a walk.
Up Next:
- Top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State will host the LEC Tournament, with opening games set for Wednesday (May 7). Third-seeded Plymouth State faces sixth-seeded UMass Dartmouth on day one.
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