CLERMONT, Fla. – The New England College softball team lost both ends of their double-header at the Spring Games on Monday evening, falling 9-7 against Allegheny College in the first game before a 7-1 loss versus Muskingum University in the nightcap at Legends Way in Clermont, Florida. The Pilgrims run their record to 0-3 on the season.
ALLEGHENY 9, NEC 7
- Down 1-0 going into the bottom of the first, the 'Grims opened the frame with back-to-back singles from sophomore shortstop Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) and sophomore second baseman Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.), with both runners advancing a base on the play to put them in scoring position. On the very next at-bat, NEC sophomore third baseman Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) – continuing her torrid start to her season – smacked a two-RBI single to right as the Pilgrims took a 2-1 lead.
- In the bottom of the second and trailing 3-2, NEC graduate leftfielder Emily Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) – who entered the day just eight stolen bases short of tying the school-record – reached first on a walk to lead it off. Gagne stole second on the very next at-bat, then stole third, setting up Lemay for an RBI sacrifice fly to left field to plate Gagne, tying the game up at 3-3. On the very next at-bat, Lopez doubled with two outs, and that setup freshman designated player Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.) for her first career RBI, a single to give the lead back to the 'Grims.
- In the bottom of the third and still leading 4-3, NEC sophomore first baseman Bella Kieran (Pelham, N.H.) lead-off for the Pilgrims with a double to left-center. On the very next at-bat, freshman catcher Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) singled to left to setup first-and-third with no outs. After a strikeout and a stolen base by Grimes, Gagne blooped a single just outside of the outstretched hand of the shortstop, plating Kieran and giving the 'Grims a 5-3 lead. It was the 95th career hit for Gagne, leaving her just five short of the century milestone.
- In the top of the fifth, the Gators of Allegheny finally broke through, tagging the Pilgrims for five runs to take the lead, then another one more in the sixth to go up 9-5.
- In the bottom of the sixth with one out, Lopez would hit her second triple in as many games to drive in Lemay, giving the Pilgrims a chance to get back into it. A sacrifice fly from Garcia on the very next at bat pulled NEC to within two runs going into the final inning.
- With the game on the line and two outs remaining, Grimes singled up the middle to keep the 'Grims' hopes alive. NEC sophomore pinch hitter Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) then came to the plate, but struck out swinging. A walk from Gagne brought Giesler to the plate with two on and two outs, but the second-year star flied out to center, ending the game.
NEC 1, MUSKINGUM 7
- The Pilgrims found themselves trailing 7-0 headed into the top of the sixth against the Muskies of Muskingum University before an RBI single up the middle by Lopez drove in sophomore pinch hitter Surena Montero (Bakersfield, Calif.). Lopez finished with two of NEC's four hits in the game, driving in their only run.
- Montero and Giesler both had singles against the Muskies.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Wednesday when they play Aurora University and Saint Vincent College at the Diamondplex in Winter Haven, Florida.
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