RINDGE, N.H. - Pilgrims Softball earned two North Division wins on Saturday evening behind outstanding pitching performances from sophomore Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) and freshman Kendal Cote (Charlestown, N.H.) who each picked up a win. The 'Grims added timely hitting at the plate to seal the sweep.
Game One – CSC 4, NEC 12
Colby-Sawyer threatened early in the opening inning, placing its first three batters on base. However, a fielder's choice gave the Pilgrims their first out, and Magro settled in, striking out two of the final three batters to strand the bases loaded. NEC went down in order in the bottom half of the inning before turning momentum in the second.
After a hit-by-pitch to open the frame, senior Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) cut down the runner attempting to steal. Lopez later sparked the offense with a single to right field and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Freshman Makayla Halley (Ventura, Calif.) drew a walk, setting up junior Sydney MacLean (Keene, N.H.), who delivered a two-run double to left. Magro followed with a double of her own, bringing home MacLean to give NEC a 3-0 lead.
The Chargers responded in the third with two runs on one hit with the bases loaded, but NEC answered immediately. Senior Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) launched her first home run of the season to open the inning. Junior Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) doubled and later scored on a triple to right-center by Lopez. MacLean added an RBI single, and Magro capped the inning with another hit as the Pilgrims extended their lead to 7-2.
Colby-Sawyer narrowed the gap in the fifth behind a solo home run from Kyla Angell and another run on a sacrifice fly, but NEC put the game away in the sixth. The Pilgrims plated five runs on five hits to secure a 12-4 mercy-rule victory.
Magro earned her fourth win of the season, tossing six innings while allowing just five hits and striking out seven.
Game Two – CSC 5, NEC 9
Colby-Sawyer struck first in game two, scoring two runs in the opening inning on three hits.Cote limited further damage with a key strikeout and help from her defense.
NEC quickly responded, as junior Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Giesler to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Pilgrims' defense held strong in the second, highlighted by junior Sonia Garcia (Victorville, Calif.) throwing out a runner at second base.
The Pilgrims took control in the bottom of the second. Giesler delivered a clutch single to right-center, driving in two runs to give NEC a 3-2 lead. After a quick defensive third inning, NEC extended its advantage. Lopez doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Garcia, while senior Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, N.H.) added a two-run double to push the lead to 6-2.
NEC continued to build in the fifth. Halley came through with a pinch-hit single, and Garcia reached on an error to put runners on. Cote helped her own cause with her first collegiate hit, a double to right-center, driving in a run. Lemay added a sacrifice fly as the Pilgrims stretched the lead to 9-3.
Colby-Sawyer attempted a late comeback with runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but Cote closed the door, recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the game.
Cote earned the win after pitching a complete game, allowing five runs while recording a season-high six strikeouts.
With the sweep, NEC improves to .500 in conference play. The Pilgrims return to action on the road against MCLA in North Adams, Massachusetts, with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM.
