PAXTON, Mass. – NEC dropped a pair of close contests to AMC, including a walk-off loss in game two despite a late-inning rally. 

Game One -- AMC 9, NEC 5 

NEC jumped out to an early 3-1 lead in the top of the second inning. Senior Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, Md.) reached on a single and advanced to second on a right field error, allowing sophomore Amanda Magro (Phoenix, Ariz.) to score. Senior Surena Montero (Bakersfield, Calif.) followed with a walk before junior Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) singled to shortstop, bringing Grimes home. With two outs, senior Grace Giesler (La Mirada, Calif.) added an RBI single to score Montero.

The Pilgrims extended their lead in the third inning when senior Emma Lopez (Downey, Calif.) launched her first home run of the season. Later in the inning, Magro doubled and advanced to third on a Grimes single. After Montero drew another walk to load the bases, Magro crossed the plate on a passed ball to give NEC a 5-1 advantage.

AMC responded in the later innings, scoring two runs in the fourth before erupting for four runs in the fifth to take the lead. The Amcats added two more runs in the sixth to secure the 9-5 victory.

Game Two -- AMC 8, NEC 7

NEC struck first in game two, taking a 1-0 lead after Gagne and Giesler reached base. Lopez delivered again with an RBI single to left field, scoring Gagne.

AMC answered in the bottom of the second, tallying six hits and four runs, highlighted by a pair of doubles, to take a 4-1 lead. NEC chipped away, including a hit from junior Sydney MacLean (Keene, N.H.), but stranded runners on base. The Amcats added to their lead later in the inning with a home run to center field.

After a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, NEC pulled within one in the fifth. Gagne drew a walk and Lopez continued her strong day at the plate, blasting her second home run of the game to make it a one-run contest.

AMC responded in the bottom half of the inning with a walk followed by a two-run home run from Meaghan Doyle, extending the lead to 7-4. NEC was held scoreless in the sixth but answered with a shutdown inning defensively.

In the seventh, NEC mounted a late rally. Gagne drew her third walk of the game before Giesler tripled to center field to bring her home. Lopez followed with a walk, and MacLean doubled down the left field line, scoring Giesler and moving Lopez to third. Magro then delivered a clutch single to left field, tying the game at 7-7 with no outs. However, AMC responded in the bottom of the inning, as the leadoff batter reached base and later scored on a single to right-center, walking off with an 8-7 victory.

NEC will close out the season at home on Saturday against Mitchell College, with game one scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

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