MANCHESTER, N.H. – The New England College softball team swept both ends of their double-header over visiting University of Maine Presque Isle in non-conference action on Monday at Trinity Field in Manchester, New Hampshire, winning game one, 7-0, before holding the Owls off in game two, 4-3.
THE BASICS
Score – Game 1:               UMPI 0, New England College 7
Score – Game 2:               UMPI 3, New England College 4
Records:                               Pilgrims 7-9 | Owls 5-13
GAME 1 SUMMARY

• The Pilgrims struck first in the bottom of the first when rookie centerfielder Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) drove a ball to the fence and came all the way around for an inside-the-park home run, the first of her career to put NEC up 1-0.
• In the bottom of the second, senior left-fielder Jasmin Alvarado (Spring Valley, Calif.) homered to give the 'Grims a 2-0 lead.
• NEC exploded for five more runs in the bottom of the fourth. First, freshman right-fielder Amaya Rodriguez (Indio, Calif.) plated two runs on a double to center. Three batters later, senior designated player Emily Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) laid down a bunt single to score Rodriguez. Two batters later, freshman catcher Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) hit a two-RBI single to center to put the 'Grims up 7-0.
• NEC freshman pitcher Houstyn McConaghy (Lincoln, R.I.) went seven shutout innings with three strikeouts for her third career win.

GAME 2 SUMMARY

• The Pilgrims once against got off to a quick start in game two when Giesler hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first to drive in Gagne for a 1-0 lead.
• Down 2-1 in the bottom of the third, it was once again Giesler doing the damage on an RBI double to left that plated Gagne to tie the game up at 2-2.
• In the bottom of the sixth, NEC freshman pinch-runner Kyndal Murawski (Putnam, Conn.) scored from second off an error. Three batters later, freshman first baseman Bella Kieran (Salem, N.H.) scored off a wild pitch and that would be all the Pilgrims would need.
• NEC senior pitcher Naomi Medrano (Escondido, Calif.) went four and one-third innings for the Pilgrims, allowing just one earned run. Junior pitcher Jocelin Vachon (Manchester, N.H.) earned the win while McConaghy picked up the save.

'GRIM OF THE DAY

• Giesler was a dominant force at the plate with four hits, three runs batted in, a home run and a double.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Tuesday when they travel to Salem State University for a 4:00 p.m. double-header.
• UMPI plays their next game at Northern Vermont University – Lyndon on Saturday in a 12:00 p.m. double-header.

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.