SALEM, Mass. – The New England College softball team split their double-header at Salem State University in non-conference action on Tuesday evening at Alumni Field in Salem Massachusetts. The Pilgrims dropped game one, 3-1, before coming-from-behind in the nightcap, 8-5.

GAME ONE – NEC 1, SALEM STATE 3

• The game was scoreless going into the top of the fourth inning when NEC sophomore third baseman Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) came to the plate with one out and runners at the corners. Maker singled to drive in freshman designated player Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.) as the 'Grims took a 1-0 lead. Maker finished two-for-three at the plate in the opener.
• In the bottom of the fifth, the Pilgrims were one out away from escaping the inning when a costly fielding error allowed three runs from the Vikings, putting the hosts ahead 3-1.
• A brilliant gem from NEC junior pitcher Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) went for naught as the third-year hurler allowed no earned runs over six innings, with eight hits and no walks allowed.

GAME TWO – NEC 8, SALEM STATE 5

• The Pilgrims found themselves down 4-0 in the top of the third of game two when NEC sophomore shortstop Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) led off the inning with a double. Sophomore second baseman Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.) reached base on an error then stole second to set to give the 'Grims two runners in scoring position with no outs. Two batters later, sophomore catcher Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) – enjoying a breakout season for NEC – came to the plate and cranked an RBI sacrifice fly to center to plate Giesler, putting the Pilgrims on the board.
• Down 5-1 in the top of the fourth, Maker led the inning off for NEC with a double to center, then stole third base. Olson came to the plate and doubled in Maker, cutting the deficit to three. A single, a stolen base and a walk later loaded the bases with no outs for the 'Grims, setting the table for Giesler who drove in Olson with an RBI fielder's choice, and an error by the Vikings kept the bases loaded for NEC. Lemay then came to the plate and drew a walk, plating sophomore pinch-runner Kyndal Murawski (Putnam, Conn.). Two batters later, Lopez would put up her second sacrifice fly of the game to bring home freshman pinch-hitter Arianna Bayze (Temecula, Calif.). Just like that, the game was tied at five-all.
• In the top of the seventh, the Pilgrim offense busted out once again. After a leadoff double from NEC freshman first baseman Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.), two batters later Olson would single her home for her second RBI base hit of the game, giving the 'Grims their first lead of the game. Three batters later with runners at second and third with two outs, Giesler came up with the clutch single to plate Olson and graduate leftfielder Emily Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.), giving her team an 8-5 lead that held up.

• NEC freshman pitcher Wren Anhalt (Brooksville, Fla.) entered the game in relief and allowed just one earned runs in two innings for the Pilgrims. Olson picked up the win, allowing no runs in final three innings of the contest.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Lemay continued to show an excellent eye this season, finishing with two hits and three walks on the day. At press time, Lemay was leading the GNAC with 13 walks on the season.
• Olson went 1-1 on the day, striking out two over nine innings with no earned runs.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the field on Friday when they host the University of Maine Presque Isle at Trinity High School in Manchester, New Hampshire, with game one scheduled for 10:00 a.m.
• Salem State plays their next game at Fitchburg State on Friday, that double-header starting at 3:00 p.m.

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