PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) had a big day at the plate as Plymouth State University split a
Senior Day Little East Conference (LEC) doubleheader with Rhode Island College at D&M Park on Saturday.
Nezuch singled, doubled and drove in three runs, and junior
Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) ripped a walk-off single as the Panthers outlasted RIC, 4-3, in game one.
RIC salvaged the split, scoring six runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings for a rain-shortened 7-1 victory in six innings.
Plymouth State ends the regular season at 18-17-1 (10-6 LEC) and captures the No. 3 seed for next week's LEC Tournament. The Anchorwomen move to 24-12 (9-7 LEC) and will be the No. 5 seed. Top-seeded VTSU Castleton will host the tournament, with the Panthers opening play against No. 6 UMass Boston on Wednesday (May 6).
Between games, Plymouth State honored its senior class for their contributions and commitment to the program:
Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.),
Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.),
Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.),
Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.),
Keelie Wells (Milford, N.H.),
Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine), and Nezuch.
The Basics:
- Game One: Plymouth State 4, RIC 3
- Game Two: Plymouth State 1, RIC 7 (called due to rain, top-6)
- Plymouth State (18-17-1, 10-6 LEC)
- RIC (24-12, 9-7 LEC)
How it Happened (Game One):
- After a 1-2-3 top of the first, K. Bessette drew a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout. On the 10th pitch of her at-bat, Nezuch smacked a single to center for a 1-0 lead.
- The Anchorwomen went ahead with a two-run inside-the-park home run in the top of the third.
- Nezuch came through again in the bottom of the inning, driving an RBI double to right field to score Couch and tie the game at 2-2.
- RIC scored an unearned run in the fourth to retake the lead, 3-2.
- The Anchorwomen threatened with a one-out triple in the fifth, but freshman Allie Cecere (Plainville, Mass.) induced a groundout, and Couch ran down a deep fly ball in left-center to keep it a one-run game.
- The Panthers used the momentum to pull even in the bottom half. E. Bessette walked and stole second, advanced on a ground ball and scored on Nezuch's sacrifice fly to make it 3-3.
- Wells was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the seventh. Pinch runner Addison Willett (Kingston, Mass.) was bunted to second, and Couch delivered a two-out single up the middle to score the winning run.
By the Numbers (Game One):
- Nezuch went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.
- Couch finished 2-for-4 with a run and the game-winning RBI.
- Cecere allowed just two earned runs in a complete-game victory for her 11th win of the season, matching the most for a first-year pitcher since Caitlyn Miller won 11 games in 2017.
How it Happened (Game Two):
- RIC struck early with a run in the top of the first, but Antrim got a key strikeout to leave the bases loaded.
- K. Bessette and Couch singled in the third, and Nezuch's sacrifice fly tied the game at 1-1.
- The Anchorwomen scored an unearned run in the fourth to go back in front, 2-1.
- The visitors extended the lead to 4-1 with two runs in the fifth.
- Plymouth State loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning but was unable to cash in, and RIC pushed three runs across in the top of the sixth before the game was halted due to rain.
By the Numbers (Game Two):
- K. Bessette singled, walked and scored a run.
- Nezuch finished 1-for-1 with a walk and an RBI.
- Cray singled and walked, while Couch went 1-for-3.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State enters the LEC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and will open postseason play against sixth-seeded UMass Boston on Wednesday (May 6). VTSU Castleton will host the entire tournament.
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