NEWTON, Mass. - The Pilgrims rallied late in the first game of the doubleheader, 4-2, before the Lasers responded with a 10-2 victory in game two to open the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.  

Game 1 -- NEC 4, Lasell 2
Lasell struck first, plating two runs in the bottom of the first inning. After Abigail Fortin and Madalen Brown reached base, cleanup hitter Adreanna Ventullo delivered a single to centerfield to bring home Fortin. Moments later, first basemen Shyanne Raccio followed with a single of her own, allowing Brown to score, and giving the Lasers an early 2-0 lead. 

Both teams settled in over the next two innings, combining just one hit across 14 batters. The lone hit came from senior Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.) who singled to centerfield but ultimately stranded. 

The pilgrims began their comeback at the top of the fourth. Senior Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) reached on a shortstop error, and freshman Makayla Halley (Ventura, Calif.) followed with a well-placed hit behind second base to put runners on the corners. With one out, Halley stole second, and a misplay allowed Lopez to score, cutting the deficit to one.  

Junior Sydney MacLean (Keene, N.H.) singled to centerfield, and sophomore Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) drew a walk to load the bases. Lemay delivered in the clutch with a sacrifice fly to center allowing Halley to tag up and score, tying the game at 2-2. 

NEC carried that momentum into the fifth inning. Senior Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) reached on a pop-up error and advanced to second on a stolen base. After moving to third on a groundout by Junior Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.), Lopez threw again with a double to left field, driving in Gieseler and giving the Pilgrims their first lead of the game, 3-2.  

Lasell threatened in the bottom of the fifth, loading the bases, but Margo came up big defensively, throwing out a runner at the plate to preserve the lead.  

The Pilgrims added an insurance run in the seventh inning. With one out, junior Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) doubled to centerfield, and Lopez followed with another double to bring her home, extending the lead to 4-2.  

Magro went the distance in the circle, pitching all seven innings while allowing seven hits and two runs, securing the win for the Pilgrims.  
 

Game Two -- Lasell 10, NEC 2

The Pilgrims were limited offensively in game two of the doubleheader, falling 10-2 to Lasell.  

The Lasers wasted no time at the plate, as their first four batters reached base in the bottom of the first inning, leading to three early runs. They added two more later in the frame on a single to centerfield, taking a commanding 5-0 lead after one inning of play.  

NEC responded in the top of the second. Lopez drew a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a groundout by Halley. Senior Surena Montero (Bakersfield, Calif.) then lifted a fly ball to left field, allowing Lopez to tag up and score, cutting the deficit to 5-1.  

Lasell answered right back in the bottom half inning, adding three more runs on two hits to extend their lead 8-1.  

The Pilgrims added their final run in the top of the fifth, when sophomore Mackenzie Yirrell (Methuen, Mass.) came around to score on a single to centerfield by Gieseler.  

Lasell would go on to secure the 10-2 victory.  

The 'Grims are back in action on the road March 28th for a double header against the Saints of Emmanuel College at Roberto Clemente Field. Game one is slated for a 12 PM start.  

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