PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Allie Cecere (Plainville, Mass.) delivered another sparkling performance in the circle as Plymouth State University split a Little East Conference (LEC) doubleheader with Eastern Connecticut State University at D&M Park on Saturday.
Cecere tossed her fifth straight complete game while allowing just one run as the Panthers took the opener, 2-1. The Warriors responded with a 2-0 win in game two to earn the split.
Cecere was dominant once again, not allowing an Eastern Connecticut runner to reach second base until two outs in the top of the fifth inning. Senior
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) delivered a key RBI single in the bottom of the fourth to give PSU a 2-0 lead, and freshman
Addison Willett (Kingston, Mass.) made a fantastic catch while falling into the left field fence to preserve the advantage in the fifth. ECSU got a run back in the sixth, but Cecere retired the next four batters to seal the win.
In the nightcap, the Warriors worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the third before taking a 1-0 lead in the following half inning. PSU threatened in the bottom of the frame, but ECSU threw out a runner at the plate, then added an insurance run in the fifth. Back-to-back walks with one out in the sixth put the tying runs on base, and senior
Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) singled to load the bases, but once again ECSU escaped, and the Panthers were unable to rally in the seventh.
Plymouth State improves to 14-15-1 (6-4 LEC), while Eastern Connecticut moves to 19-13 (9-5 LEC).
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 2, Eastern Connecticut 1
- Game Two: Plymouth State 0, Eastern Connecticut 2
- Plymouth State (14-15-1, 6-4 LEC)
- Eastern Connecticut (19-13, 9-5 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Plymouth State opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) walked and was bunted to second. Nezuch followed with a run-scoring single, and pinch runner Gianna DiSpirito (Cranston, R.I.) scored on an error to make it 2-0.
- The Warriors got a one-out single in the fifth and bunted the runner to second, but Willett made the play while falling into the fence to preserve the lead.
- Senior Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) ripped a two-out triple in the bottom half but was stranded at third.
- With two outs in the sixth, Eastern Connecticut used a bunt single and RBI triple to pull within 2-1, but Cecere induced a popup to end the rally before retiring the side in order in the seventh.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Nezuch finished 1-for-3 with an RBI.
- Bessette tripled in three at-bats.
- Cecere scattered four hits and struck out four in the complete game victory.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Bessette singled and back-to-back walks loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third, but Eastern Connecticut escaped the jam.
- A single and triple gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead in the fourth. Sophomore third baseman Eva Zuber (Lakeville, Mass.) snared a line drive and doubled off the runner to limit the damage.
- Willett smacked a double to put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the frame, but ECSU again escaped unscathed.
- The Warriors extended the lead with a run in the fifth to make it 2-0.
- Zuber walked and Willett singled with one out in the sixth as the Panthers threatened. After a fielder's choice, PSU loaded the bases on Larson's infield hit, but Eastern Connecticut recorded a strikeout to keep the score 2-0.
- The Warriors put the first two runners on base to start the seventh. Cecere came on in relief and issued a walk to load the bases, then retired the next three batters to keep it a two-run game, but the Panthers were unable to rally in the bottom of the inning.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Cray reached base three times with two singles and a walk.
- Willett singled and doubled in three at-bats.
- Larson and Bessette also had base hits.
- Graduate pitcher Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) struck out four and allowed two runs.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State travels to UMass Boston for another league doubleheader on Sunday (Apr. 26).
– 30 –
