PAXTON, Mass. – The New England College softball team swept their double-header at Anna Maria College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday in Paxton, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims easily disposed of the AMCATS in the opener with a six-inning 9-0 victory before outlasting the hosts 5-3 in a nine-inning thriller.
With the pair of victories, NEC improves their overall record to 13-21, and 5-5 in the GNAC North division. The 'Grims are now poised to claim the division's fifth-seed in next week's GNAC championship tournament.
TOP PILGRIMS
- NEC junior pitcher Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) was brilliant in the circle for the Pilgrims, as she went 2-0 on the day with no earned runs allowed over 12 1/3 innings while striking out six AMCATS.
- Graduate leftfielder Emily Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) had three hits with four runs scored and five stolen bases. With that total, Gagne, who already shattered the NEC career and single-season records for stolen bases, becomes the first Pilgrim in school history to pass the century mark.
- Freshman first baseman Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) had three hits including the biggest of the day, doubling in two runs in the top of the eighth of game two in what proved to be the game-winning hit.
- Sophomore shortstop Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) exploded in game one, with two doubles, a triple, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Giesler also had one of the most clutch hits of the game in the nightcap, as her RBI single in the top of the eighth plated sophomore third baseman Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) and kept the Pilgrims in the game.
- Freshman second baseman player Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.) posted three hits on the day, scoring two runs and driving in another.
- Sophomore right fielder Amaya Rodriguez (Indio, Calif.) drove in three runs over the course of the day, to go along with three hits. Rodriguez' single in the top of the ninth of game two plated Grimes, giving the Pilgrims a critical three-run lead.
- Sophomore catcher Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) had three RBI off of two hits, including a game-tying RBI single in the top of the sixth to drive in Gagne.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Sunday when they conclude their regular season with a double-header against Emmanuel College at home with a 12:00 p.m. start.
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