NEW LONDON, Conn. – Senior
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) set the program record for career stolen bases, and classmate
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) had a big day at the plate and in the circle as Plymouth State University battled Mitchell College in a non-conference doubleheader at Alumni Field on Monday.
Plymouth State dropped the opener, 3-2, but used a four-run seventh inning to earn a 7-7 tie in game two before the contest was halted due to darkness.
After reaching on an error to tie game one at 2-2 in the top of the seventh, Bessette stole second without a throw to set a program record with her 70th career stolen base, surpassing the previous mark held by Bekah Jackson '14. The Panthers loaded the bases but were unable to push the go-ahead run across, and Mitchell used a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning to walk off with a 3-2 win. Nezuch posted a career-high nine strikeouts in the setback.
Mitchell carried a 7-3 lead into the seventh inning of game two, but the first six batters reached base, with Nezuch's two-run single tying the game at 7-7. Freshman
Allie Cecere (Plainville, Mass.) retired the Mariners in order in the bottom of the frame before the game was called due to darkness.
Plymouth State moves to 8-11-1, while Mitchell stands at 11-12-1.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 2, Mitchell 3
- Game Two: Plymouth State 7, Mitchell 7 (called due to darkness)
- Plymouth State (8-11-1)
- Mitchell (11-12-1)
How it Happened (Game One):
- Bessette tripled to start the third inning, and senior Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) followed with an RBI single to make it 1-0.
- Mitchell went ahead on a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth.
- The Mariners threatened again in the sixth with back-to-back singles to start the frame, but Nezuch retired the next three batters to end the inning.
- Freshman Addison Willett (Kingston, Mass.) and sophomore Eva Zuber (Lakeville, Mass.) singled, with Zuber advancing on the throw to put runners on second and third in the seventh. With two outs, K. Bessette reached on an error to tie the game. PSU loaded the bases, but Mitchell escaped the jam with a flyout.
- The Mariners rallied with two outs in the bottom of the inning to walk off with the 3-2 win.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- E. Bessette reached base three times (single, two walks) and drove in a run.
- Willett went 1-for-2 with a single, a walk and a run scored.
- K. Bessette tripled, scored and stole her 70th base to set the program record.
- Nezuch went 1-for-3 at the plate while also pitching 6.2 innings with a career-high nine strikeouts.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- Mitchell used four straight two-out hits to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
- Nezuch doubled and scored in the top of the second, and freshman Gianna DiSpirito (Cranston, R.I.) ripped a two-out, two-run double to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead.
- The Mariners responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, but junior Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) threw out a runner at the plate to keep it a one-run game (4-3).
- Mitchell extended the lead to 7-3 with three runs in the fourth inning.
- Freshman Marisa Lizotte (North Andover, Mass.) and DiSpirito singled to open the seventh. K. Bessette drove in a run with a double, and a walk loaded the bases. An error cut the deficit to 7-5 before Nezuch tied the game with a two-run single.
- Cecere retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- Nezuch went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBIs and a run scored.
- Lizotte had two singles and scored twice, while DiSpirito added a single and a double, drove in two and scored once.
- K. Bessette doubled to extend her hitting streak to 17 games.
- Cecere struck out five and allowed just one unearned run in four innings of relief.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State returns to conference play with a trip to UMass Boston on Friday (Apr. 10). First pitch for game one is set for 3:30 p.m.
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