A Quick Look
The New England College softball team split a pair today on day 5 of their Floria spring break trip.  The Pilgrims defeated Beloit College 6-1 behind a strong outing from senior Olivia Olson, before falling to Marwood University in a slugfest 14-8.  With the split, the 'Grims are now 3-7 overall.
 
The Inside Story
Game 1 – NEC 6, Beloit 1
In the opening game of the day, Olson was solid, retiring the first eleven batters she faced before surrendering a single in the fourth.  No further damage in the inning, as junior Emma Lopez threw out the runner trying to steal second to end the inning.
 
The 'Grims headed to the home half of the fifth still knotted with Beloit before scoring three runs in the frame to gain the advantage.  Junior Ashleigh Lemay worked a walk followed by an infield single by sophomore Arianna Bayze to put two Pilgrims on with none out.  The next hitter was sophomore Kate Gagne who hit a deep ball to right center reaching third base while driving in both Lemay and Bayze.  Gagne didn't stand at third long, as she came in to score when sophomore Abigail Grimes singled through the right side.
 
The Pilgrims doubled their score two innings later to go ahead 6-0.  After loading the bases with one out, Bayze walked to force in junior Surena Montero who walked and stole second.  Junior Grace Giesler then singled through the left side to drive in classmate Kyndal Murawski followed by Gagne who grounded out to second base driving in Lemay with the final run of the inning.
 
The Pilgrims nearly escaped unscathed in the seventh before Beloit scored its lone run with two outs breaking up Olson's shutout bid.
 
Olson allowed five hits and struck out three to even her season record to 2-2.
 
Game 2 – Marywood 14, NEC 8
Game 2 turned out to be an offensive showcase with the two teams combining for 22 runs and 28 hits.  Marywood did all its damage in the second and third innings, scoring 12 runs.  The Pilgrims' big inning was the third when they posted six runs.
 
The 'Grims took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning that started with a lead off walk to Giesler before she stole second.  She moved up to third base and came in to score on a Grimes ground out to second base.
 
The Pacers pounded out nine hits in the second inning posting their seven runs.  The big hit in the inning was a bases clearing triple Lianna Horner.
 
The Pilgrims came right back in the top of the third inning to knot the score at seven apiece.  NEC loaded the bases, and the first two runs were forced in via walks to Lemay and sophomore Sonia Garcia.  Montero then hit a pinch-hit single to score freshman Amanda Magro.  After a sacrifice fly by Giesler brought in Lemay, it was Gagne who tied the score with a two-out double driving in Murawski and Garcia.
 
In the home half of the third, Marywood posted six runs with all the damage coming with two outs.
 
The Pilgrims scored their final run of the game in the top of the fourth.  Junior Julia Maker hit a one-out single and went to second on another single from Magro.  Maker came around to score when Lemay singled to right field.
 
A pair of runs for the Pacers with two outs in the fifth was the final tally of the game.
 
Magro took the loss for the Pilgrims in relief of classmate Mackenzie Yirrell.  Magro struck out three while only being charged with one earned run in her five innings.
 
Just the Stats
Four separate Pilgrims had one hit versus Beloit.  In addition to her three runs batted in, Gagne also scored a run.  Lemay scored a pair of runs in the game.
 
Against Marywood, junior Carlie Panas and Maker each collected two hits to lead the bats.  Lemay and Gagne each drove in a pair of runs.
 
What's Next
The Pilgrims will be back in action tomorrow with two more games versus Loras and SUNY Brockport.