BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – The New England College softball team split their double-header at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in nonconference action on Tuesday at Alison Rollins Field in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Game One 

• The game started with junior infielder Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) drawing a walk off Mass. Maritime's junior starting pitcher Jennamarie Klemp (Onset, Mass.) After stealing second, Giesler scored on an RBI single from sophomore outfielder Arianna Bayze (Temecula, Calif.) to take a 1-0 lead just two batters into the game. 
• In the bottom of the second, freshman Lillian Ross (Greenfield, Mass.) hit a single to score both senior Reagan Kerecz (Tolland, Conn.) and freshman Eva Warren (North Chelmsford, Mass.) as the Buccaneers took a 2-1 lead. The Pilgrims answered back quickly in the top of the fourth as freshman pitcher Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) and sophomore infielder Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.) led off the inning with back-to-back singles. After junior infielder Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.) drew a walk, Giesler singled to right center to tie the game at two. Bayze followed with a single down the right field line as Garcia scored to give NEC the 3-2 lead. Sophomore infielder Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) ended the scoring with a two-run single to cement the 6-2 Pilgrims win. 

Game Two 

• Giesler drew a walk to start game two as the Pilgrims loaded the bases with one out. Junior outfielder Carlie Panas (Chester, N.H.) was hit by a pitch to drive in a run for the Pilgrims. The Buccaneers answered with four straight batters reaching base on three hits. Mass. Maritime scored one more to bring a 4-1 lead into the top of the second. 
• In the bottom of the fourth, junior Ab'c'de Patane (El Cajon, Calif.) tripled to right center to bring in another run, securing the game two victory. Garcia and sophomore Sarah Holler (Hingham, Mass.) traded RBIs as the Bucs took game two.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Magro earned the win in game one with two strikeouts and one hit allowed in five innings. 
• Bayze finished with three hits and two runs batted in. Giesler walked twice and stole two bases. 
• Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Yirrell (Methuen, Mass.) took the loss in game two as she and senior pitcher Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) allowed a total of three earned runs.
• Mass. Maritime sophomore pitcher Ashleigh Catlett (Prince Frederick, Md.) struck out six in the win. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC is back on the field on Friday when they host the University of Maine, Presque Isle at 3:00 PM. 
• Mass. Maritime plays their next game at home on Saturday as they host Fitchburg State.

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