HENNIKER, N.H. –  After rallying to win game one 6-4, the New England College offense came alive in game two, as they routed Lesley 20-5, to complete the sweep of their New England Collegiate Conference foe Saturday afternoon at Laurie Cox Memorial Field.

THE BASICS
Score:  New England College 6, Lesley University 4 (Game One)
New England College 20, Lesley University 5 (Game Two)

Records: Pilgrims (8-8, 3-1 NECC) | Lynx (9-13, 0-4 NECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One – New England College 6, Lesley University 4

In the first inning, Lesley was patient at the dish, as they would draw a bases-loaded walk to go up 1-0. The Lynx expanded their lead in the top of the fourth as James Brandon hit a solo home run to left-center. After Lesley went up 3-0 in the top of the fifth, the Pilgrims exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Michael Ciccotelli singled home Luca Giallongo before JD Normand had a two-RBI double to left. Connor Morin next scored on a wild pitch, and Normand scampered home on a wild pitch. Brady Philibotte made it 6-3 NEC in the bottom of the sixth, as he recorded his first collegiate home run. The Lynx would get a run back in the top of the seventh, but Corey O'Day shut the door to record his second save of the year.

Alex Perez went 6.1 innings, as he allowed four hits and three earned runs while striking out ten.

Game Two – New England College 20, Lesley University 5

The Pilgrims' offense scored early and often, as they plated six runs in the first inning. Harutaro Takahashi had the lone hit in the frame for New England College. Morin scored on a Takahashi groundout in the second inning before Tyler Gendron hit a solo home run down the left-field line.

NEC plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as Morin drove in three with his bases-clearing double. New England College kept increasing their lead, as they scored six more runs in the fifth and an additional run in the sixth. The Lynx scored four runs in the sixth and one in the seventh, but they would not draw any closer.

Shayne Audet picked up the win for the Pilgrims, as he struck out eight in 5.0 innings and allowed just two base runners.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The last time NEC plated 20 runs in a game was on April 24, 2021, as they plated 28 runs against Lesley.
• The New England College pitching staff struck out 19 batters in 14.0 innings.
• NEC leads the all-time series, 13-6

UP NEXT

• NEC at Keene State, Sunday, April 3, 12:30 pm
• Lesley vs. NVU Lyndon Sunday, March 27, 1:00 pm