A Quick Look
Day two is in the books for the New England College softball team, as they played two more games today versus Widener University and Penn State Berks.  The Pilgrims battled but came up short in both contests, 6-3 to Widener and 6-2 to Penn State dropping them to 0-4 in the early season.
 
The Inside Story
Game 1 – Widener 6, NEC 3
The Pilgrims took an early 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the home half of the first inning.  The two runs scored without a hit, as they took advantage of a couple of walks, a couple of stolen bases and a sacrifice fly.
 
Sophomore Kate Gagne led off the inning with a walk and then stole second before junior Grace Giesler drew another walk to put two runners aboard.  After a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, sophomore Abigail Grimes hit a fly ball to center field deep enough to score Gagne from third.  Another wild pitch allowed Giesler to advance to third base before scoring on a steal of home.
 
The Pilgrims' defense preserved the two-run lead in the second inning on a tremendous play by junior Carlie Panas.  With one out and the bases loaded, Panas caught a fly ball in right field and, with the runner tagging at third, gunned down the baserunner with a perfect throw to end the threat with a bang-bang double play.
 
NEC carried its lead into the top of the fourth inning before Widener scored two runs to tie the game.  Both runs were unearned and came with two outs.
 
In the bottom of the frame, junior Surena Montero hit a two-out single and advanced to second base when the center fielder couldn't control the ball.  The next batter was freshman Mackenzie Yirrell, who hit a single to right field driving in Montero to put the 'Grims back in front 3-2.
 
Widener rallied in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four runs on five hits to overtake the Pilgrims entering the home half of the inning.  Although, junior Emma Lopez hit a two-out single, she would be left there and the game ended.
 
In her first extended appearance of her career, Yirrell threw the first four innings walking a pair before giving way to senior Olivia Olson.
 
Game 2 – Penn State 6, NEC 2
In the top of the first inning, the Pilgrims benefitted from an error to score the opening run of the contest.  Giesler led off the game with a single to right field and went to second on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Gagne.  On the play, while heading to third, an errand throw by the Penn State second baseman allowed Giesler to score.
 
Penn State was the recipient of a misplay in the third inning that led to a pair of unearned runs.  The big hit was a two-out, two RBI single by sophomore Paige Brightwell.
 
With two outs in the fourth inning, the Lions rallied for three runs to take a 5-1 lead.  The inning ended with a perfect relay from junior Kyndal Murawski to classmate Julia Maker to Lopez who applied the tag escaping further damage for the 'Grims.
 
NEC got a run back in the fifth with Giesler once again in the middle of the action on the bases.  After walking and stealing second, she found herself on third base via a wild pitch.  She came home on a throwing error by the Lions' third baseman.
 
Penn State added a single run in the sixth for the final margin of victory.
 
In her first collegiate start, freshman Amanda Magro pitched four innings striking out two and being charged with three earned runs.
 
Just the Stats
Panas collected two hits in the first game including a double.  She was joined by Lopez and Montero, who each had a pair of hits as well.
 
In the second game, Gielser had two hits while stealing two bases and scoring two runs.
 
What's Next
The Pilgrims will have an off day on Monday before getting back into action on Tuesday with a pair of contests against North Park (IL) and St. Mary's (IN).