HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College softball team split their double-header against visiting Simmons University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday afternoon at Old Concord Road Field in Henniker, New Hampshire. NEC dropped the opener, 8-2, before rallying for an 8-7 win in the nightcap. The Pilgrims run their overall record to 11-16 on the season and 6-6 in conference play.
GAME 1 – SIMMONS 8, NEC 2
- Down 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Pilgrims got on the board when NEC sophomore infielder Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) came to the plate with two runners on and hit an RBI sacrifice fly to right to plate junior shortstop Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.).
- Down 8-1 in the bottom of the sixth, junior catcher Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) came to the plate with two outs and one on and planted a single to right field to drive in Giesler for her second run of the day.
- That would be the only offense the Pilgrims could manage for the game. The Sharks were led by Simmons junior left fielder Teagan Buckley (Barrington, Ill.) who went two-for-three with a home run and five runs batted in. Simmons junior shortstop Emily Deleault (Manchester, N.H.) went three-for-four with two runs scored.
- Simmons junior pitcher Piper Kinney (Marlborough, Mass.) struck out eight Pilgrims over seven innings for the Sharks.
GAME 2 – SIMMONS 6, NEC 8
- Down 4-0 in the bottom of the third of game two, Giesler hit a two-RBI double to get the 'Grims on the board. Two batters later, Grimes singled to left to score Giesler, pulling NEC to within one. Sophomore center fielder Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) scored from third off a wild pitch, and just like that the game was tied.
- Trailing 5-4 going into the bottom of the fourth, Giesler came to the plate with the bases loaded and singled to the right side to drive home senior Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.). Two batters later, Grimes – with two outs and the bases loaded – hit a clutch single through the left side, giving the Pilgrims their first lead of the day at 7-5.
- Clinging to a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Olson stepped to the plate and – in one of the final home games of her collegiate career – hit a ball over the wall for the first home run of her career, giving the 'Grims much needed insurance.
- Olson then entered the game as a pitcher in relief, shutting down the Sharks for the final two innings to pick up the save.
SENIOR DAY
- In between the games, the Pilgrims' softball team and the NEC Athletics Department honored the program's sole departing senior as part of their Senior Day event. Olson was recognized by teammates, coaches, family members and fans for all of her contributions both on and off the field. Although her time with the team may be coming to an end, she will forever be a part of the Pilgrim family.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Thursday when they host Fitchburg State University in a 3:00 p.m. non-conference double-header.
- Simmons plays their next DH at home against Norwich, that coming on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
