Game One – SJM 11, NEC 2

After working around two baserunners in the opening inning, NEC struck first in the bottom half. Sophomore Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) led off with a single and stole second before scoring on a double down the left field line by senior Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) to give the 'Grims an early 1-0 lead.

Saint Joseph's answered in the second inning with a run to even the score, then pulled ahead in the third, adding two more runs. NEC responded in the bottom half when senior Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) drew a walk, stole second, and came around to score on a single to center field by freshman Makayla Halley (Ventura, Calif.), cutting the deficit to one.

However, the Monks' offense proved too much, as they totaled 19 hits and pulled away to secure the 11-2 victory.

Game Two – SJM 7, NEC 6 (8 innings)

Saint Joseph's carried its momentum into game two, scoring a run in the first inning. NEC quickly answered, as Gagne worked a walk and stole second before moving into scoring position on a single from Giesler. She later scored on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1.

Both teams were quiet through the second and third innings, with senior Wren Anhalt (Brooksville, Fla.) and the NEC defense allowing just two hits and no runs during that stretch.

The Monks regained the lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Jayden Sullivan. NEC responded in the fifth, as Gagne, Giesler, and Lopez all reached base with one out. The 'Grims capitalized with four hits in the inning, scoring two runs to take a 4-2 lead.

Saint Joseph's battled back in the seventh. After two leadoff singles, the Monks put runners in scoring position. NEC cut down the lead runner at third on a fielder's choice, but Saint Joseph's still managed to push across two runs to tie the game at 4-4 and force extra innings.

In the bottom of the seventh, NEC had a chance to walk it off but left two runners on base, sending the game to extras.

In the eighth, the Monks broke through with four hits, scoring three runs to take a 7-4 lead. NEC responded in the bottom half, starting with junior Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) placed on second under the international tiebreaker rule. Grimes advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a single by Gagne to cut the deficit to 7-5.

Gagne later moved to third on an error, and after Giesler reached base, a passed ball allowed Gagne to score, bringing NEC within one at 7-6. However, the comeback fell just short, as the tying run was left stranded.

NEC look to get themselves back into the winners circle on Tuesday for their makeup game against Fitchburg State with game one starting at 3:00 P.M.