HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College softball team swept their double-header against visiting Fitchburg State University in non-conference action on Thursday afternoon at Old Concord Road Field in Henniker, New Hampshire, rallying from behind to beat the Falcons 8-6 in the opener before winning an 8-0 six-inning contest in walk-off fashion in game two. The Pilgrims run their record to 13-19 on the season.
GAME 1 – FITCHBURG 6, NEC 8
- Down 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the 'Grims got on the board with an RBI single through the left side by junior designated player Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) to drive in sophomore center fielder Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.). Two batters later, sophomore catcher Sonia Garcia (San Bernardino, Calif.) singled up the middle to plate Lopez and sophomore first baseman Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.), tying the game up at three-all.
- Down 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth, NEC would again battle back with an RBI single by Grimes to drive in junior shortstop Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.). After a costly fielding error by the Falcons allowed Gagne to score from third, it would again be Garcia coming up big for the 'Grims, doubling to right field to score Lopez and Grimes, giving the hosts their first lead of the day at 7-5.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Giesler gave the 'Grims insurance with an RBI infield single, allowing freshman pitcher Mackenzie Yirrell (Methuen, Mass.) to score from third. That would be all the offense NEC would need as they pulled out the win.
GAME 2 – FITCHBURG 0, NEC 8
- NEC wasted little time taking control in game two as Giesler led off the bottom of the first with a triple to right center. Garcia then singled to plate the shortstop, giving the 'Grims a 1-0 lead.
- In the bottom of the second, with NEC still leading 1-0, Grimes came to the lead with the bases loaded and two outs. The second-year first baseman, already leading the Pilgrims in RBI, launched a bases-clearing double to left to drive in Giesler, Garcia and Gagne, busting the game open with a 4-0 lead for home team.
- With the score still 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Gagne stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, doubling to left to drive in junior right fielder Carlie Panas (Chester, N.H.), junior second baseman Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.) and junior third baseman Julia Maker (Warwick, R.I.), increasing the lead to seven. Four batters later, Lopez stepped to the plate with two outs and two on an crushed a game-winning single to left center, invoking the mercy rule as the 'Grims took it in six.
- NEC freshman pitcher Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) pitched a gem for the Pilgrims, matching a career-high with seven strikeouts and scattering six hits and no runs over seven innings. At press time, Magro was fifth in the GNAC in ERA with a 3.10.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Friday when they travel to Rivier University for a 5:00 p.m. double-header against the Raiders.
