NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The New England College softball team got two boosting wins in their double-header at Norwich University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Wednesday afternoon at the Norwich Softball Field in Northfield, Vermont. 

Score: New England College 11, Norwich University 7 (Game One) / New England College 5, Norwich University 3 (Game Two)
Record: Pilgrims 9-18, 3-7 GNAC | Cadets 4-14, 2-4 GNAC

GAME ONE 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Looking to make a statement, NEC came out sturdy at the top of the first inning by getting three hits leading to three runs from singles by sophomore shortstop Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.), designated player Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.), and sophomore catcher Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) who advanced to third plate off of an error by the outfield. A grounding single by Norwich's junior catcher Rachel Kempf (Warwick, R.I.) put her team on the board with freshman leftfielder Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) credited with the run. 
• After a pause of momentum by the 'Grims, the Cadets cashed in on four more runs which three were unearned from Kempf, DeCota, and senior outfielder Liliana Rolfe (Plainville, Mass.). Freshman first baseman Kelcie Petrone (Redding, Conn.) earned her teammate freshman catcher Courtney Thomas (Strafford, N.H.) a run to start the second inning off. 
• Freshman centerfielder Lauren Hendricks (Fontana, Calif.) provided a much-needed single for NEC in the fourth inning allowing sophomore right fielder Amaya Rodriguez (Indio, Calif.) to home to cut the deficit to one with the score in favor of the Norwich 5-4. Later in inning number six, Cadets tallied a run from Petrone who advanced to home after a sacrifice fly that was hit by DeCota to bump their lead to 6-4. 
• Down but not out, the 'Grims caught fire with six scoring runs that each came from a different player as Giesler, Lopez and freshman first baseman Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) hit a single while Garcia and Rodriguez earning doubles. Furthermore, a wild pitch by Norwich gave freshman outfielder Arianna Bayze (Temecula, Calif.) the right to come home from third base as the massive run made by the visitors put NEC up big 11-6 
• With the final inning remaining in game one of the doubleheader, the Cadets would take one more swing at it as a single by junior pitcher Kennedy White (Randolph Center, Vt.) gave an unearned run to junior pitcher Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) which would end the opening matchup with the 'Grims stealing the win 11-7. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• NEC junior pitcher Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) finished off the win in all innings with four strikeouts. 
• Norwich's McGinn was tallied with the loss in the first game with only pitching 0.1 innings, but was replaced by DeCota, who pitched in six innings and earned a strikeout. 
• The 'Grims were led by Giesler who attributed two runs, three hits, and two RBIs in five at-bats. 
• Despite the loss, Norwich's DeCota and Petrone shared the team's most valuable player as each recorded two runs, two hits, and one RBI. 

GAME TWO 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• After an exhausting first matchup, game number two would start off slower, but NEC would stay aggressive as sophomore third baseman Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) went full speed to home plate after Norwich made a throwing error right after striking out Hendricks which ultimately become beneficial for the visitors. A double by Cadets' McGinn that flew to left-center field allowed teammate DeCota to run in for the score to knot it at 1-1 at the end of the third inning. 
• Tensions would start to arise in inning number four as Lopez was able to get to home plate for the 'Grims after Grimes initiated a sacrifice fly sequence with two teammates already on base. Norwich would follow at their next bat and already with two outs in place as DeCota would het a single bringing Petrone to home and keeping the score tied at 2-2. 
• The Cadets would regain the lead in the sixth inning, and it was their first for the first time since the same inning in game one. The scoring sequence was founded by DeCota, who has been sensational for her team as she singled to left-center field whereas freshman shortstop Gianna Missiti (Bedford, Mass.) would run in for the 3-2 lead. 
• In a presumed last chance to go ahead in the seventh inning, NEC would get two game-clinching runs that started with Giesler hitting a single and sophomore second baseman Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.) making a huge run from second base all the way to home giving the 'Grims the lead. NEC would cap the scoring run off with a Lopez single but advanced to second base off an error and giving way for graduate leftfielder Emily Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) to get credited with the unearned run leading to a 5-3 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• NEC's Lopez showed out in game number two for the 'Grims as shed ended up providing a run, two hits, and an RBI. 
• DeCota shined again for Norwich but still could not get over the hump as she ended with a run, four hits, and two RBIs. 
• Olson was given the win again for her pitching efforts where she contributed on a strkeout. 
• McGinn would not see this as her best day as she was able to get three strikeouts in the afternoon. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the field on Saturday, April 20th when they host Saint Joseph's College of Maine at the Old Concord Road in a doubleheader starting at 12:00 PM. 
• Norwich plays their next game against the Monks of Saint Joseph's College of Maine in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 18th with the first game at 3:00 PM on Richard W. Bailey Field. 

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