CLERMONT, Fla. – Graduate pitcher
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) struck out nine in a complete-game shutout as Plymouth State University split a pair of games to open the 2026 season at THE Spring Games at Hancock Park on Saturday.
Antrim scattered six hits and didn't surrender a walk as the Panthers blanked the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 3-0, in the opener, before Clarkson University topped PSU, 5-0, in the second game of the day.
Antrim was overpowering against the Eagles, and senior
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) made a pair of sparkling plays to help keep UWL off the scoreboard – starting a perfect relay to gun down a runner at third in the third inning and making a diving grab on a shallow popup in the bottom of the sixth.
Clarkson limited the Panthers to just two hits in the nightcap. Freshman
Allie Cecere (Plainville, Mass.) struck out five and allowed just one earned run in her collegiate debut, but the Golden Knights scored three times in the seventh to pull away late.
Plymouth State starts the season at 1-1. UWL moves to 1-4, while Clarkson goes to 1-3.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, UWL 0
- Plymouth State 0, Clarkson 5
- Plymouth State (1-1)
- UWL (1-4)
- Clarkson (1-3)
How it Happened (UWL):
- Bessette drew a leadoff walk to open the game, then stole second and third, but was stranded there.
- In the third, Bessette reached on a bunt hit with one down, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch but was again unable to score.
- The Eagles ripped a double to the right-centerfield gap to start the bottom of the third, but Bessette fired to senior Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.), who executed a perfect relay to get the runner at third.
- Sophomore Eva Zuber (Lakeville, Mass.) poked a two-out single down the rightfield line in the fourth to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Senior Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) later scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
- Antrim worked around a one-out double in the bottom half of the inning.
- UWL had runners on second and third with two down in the fifth, but Antrim induced a popup to short to end the threat.
- Junior Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) doubled home an insurance run in the seventh to extend the lead to 3-0.
- Antrim retired the side in order in the bottom half to secure the complete-game shutout.
By the Numbers (UWL):
- Larson and junior Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) each had two hits and scored a run. Larson also drew a walk.
- Bessette and senior Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) both reached base twice with a single and walk.
- Antrim struck out nine and allowed just six hits in the complete game shutout.
- It was the first meeting between the two programs.
How it Happened (Clarkson):
- Senior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) reached on a two-base error in the bottom of the first, but was stranded.
- Clarkson scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third to take a 2-0 lead.
- K. Bessette singled and stole two bases in the bottom of the inning but a strikeout ended the threat.
- Nezuch singled in the fourth but couldn't advance.
- K. Bessette reached on an error in the sixth, stole second and moved to third on a flyout, but again Clarkson wriggled out of the jam.
- The Golden Knights plated three in the top of the seventh to seal the game.
By the Numbers (Clarkson):
- K. Bessette reached twice (single, error) and stole three bases.
- Cecere allowed just one earned run and struck out five over six-plus innings in her debut.
- Sophomore Mackenzie Griswold (Bath, N.H.) recorded the final three outs.
- The teams had split two previous meetings. Plymouth State earned an extra-innings win in Florida last year.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State plays an exhibition against Ripon College on Sunday (Mar. 15), before games against Ithaca College and Manchester University on Monday (Mar. 16).
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