PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore
Mackenzie Griswold (Bath, N.H.) tossed six innings of two-run ball to lift Plymouth State University to a split with New England College in a non-conference doubleheader at D&M Park on Thursday afternoon.
Plymouth State dropped the opener, 5-1, but rebounded with a 9-4 win in game two.
The first two batters of the nightcap reached base, but Griswold retired the next three hitters. PSU's offense then plated five runs over the first two innings. NEC pulled within 6-2 in the fourth and threatened for more, but junior
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) and senior
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) executed a perfect relay to cut down a runner at the plate. The Panthers added insurance from there to secure the win.
NEC used a three-run second inning to take control of the opener. Senior
Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1, but the Pilgrims tacked on a pair of unearned runs late to seal game one.
Plymouth State improves to 10-13-1, while NEC moves to 13-16.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 1, NEC 5
- Game Two: Plymouth State 9, NEC 4
- Plymouth State (10-13-1)
- NEC (13-16)
How it Happened (Game One):
- The Pilgrims used a two-out double to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the second.
- Senior Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) tripled to lead off the third, and Cray's RBI single made it 3-1.
- In the fifth, K. Bessette singled and stole second, and Cray drew a walk to put the tying runs on base, but NEC escaped with a pair of groundouts.
- The Pilgrims added two unearned runs in the sixth to extend the lead to 5-1.
- K. Bessette and Nezuch singled in the seventh, but the Panthers couldn't get any closer.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- K. Bessette went 3-for-4 and scored a run.
- Nezuch and senior Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) had two hits apiece.
- Cray reached base twice with a single and a walk and drove in a run.
- Nezuch struck out eight over six innings. Freshman Clare Magee (Penfield, N.Y.) worked a scoreless inning of relief.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Griswold worked out of a jam in the top of the first and the Panthers jumped ahead in the bottom half. K. Bessette singled and scored on E. Bessette's RBI single, and Couch added an RBI for a 2-0 lead.
- K. Bessette reached on an infield hit to score a run in the second, and Cray followed with a two-run single to make it 5-0.
- Junior Kennedy Michaud (Auburn, N.H.) extended the lead to 6-0 with an RBI single in the third.
- The Pilgrims scored twice in the fourth to cut the deficit to 6-2, but freshman Addison Willett (Kingston, Mass.) drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom half.
- NEC loaded the bases in the sixth, but Griswold fielded a soft liner to preserve the lead. Freshman Courtney McKenna (Northport, N.Y.) followed with a two-run single in the bottom half to push the lead to 9-2.
- NEC added two runs in the seventh to make it 9-4, but freshman Allie Cecere (Plainville, Mass.) recorded a pair of strikeouts to seal the win.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Griswold scattered seven hits over six innings and allowed just two runs.
- K. Bessette went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Cray finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
- McKenna and E. Bessette each reached base three times with a single and two walks. McKenna drove in two runs, while Bessette scored twice.
- Plymouth State leads the series, 22-4, dating back to 1990, and has won 13 of the last 14 meetings.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State hosts WestConn for a league doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 18) starting at noon.
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