Nor'easters split a pair with Eastern Nazarene

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England and Eastern Nazarene College played even in Friday's (Apr. 8) Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball doubleheader at Claude Dubois Field, as the Nor'easters took the opener by a 3-0 margin and the Lions claimed a 6-2 decision in the nightcap.

After extending its unbeaten streak to nine games with the initial result, UNE settled the day at 12-4 overall and 3-1 in CCC action. ENC now stands at 8-12 (3-3 CCC) on the year.

The Nor'easters broke into a scoreless GAME 1 in the 3rd inning, as Amanda Vallante put a two-out
single into center to score Avery Alberghini. Big Blue added one in the 4th on a one-out RBI-single to right by Sydney Helmbrecht, following a lead-off triple to right by Andrea Gosper. The hosts completed the scoring with one run in the 5th on a groundout.

Meanwhile, Katelyn Austin controlled the circle for UNE, working six innings to record eight strikeouts while allowing three hits and three free passes. Melissa Sprague picked up the save in the 7th, fanning two of the four batters she faced.

Vallante ended going 3-for-3 at the dish, with Gosper and Alberghini chipping in two hits apiece.

For Eastern Nazarene, Meghan Stanley had two of the team's four hits. Heidi Gomez struck out three in a losing effort.

The UNE defense put down the Lions, in order, during the top of the 1st inning in GAME 2, and the Nor'easters loaded the bases with two away in the bottom of the frame, but could not break through.

ENC jumped in front on just the second pitch of the 2nd, as Lauren Weidler launched a solo shot over the fence in center field. The Lions continued to battle and loaded the bases before the first out of the stanza, only to capitalize on the next play as an infield throwing error allowed two more to touch up. Kaitlyn Jimenez guided a two-RBI double into the right-center to quickly make it 5-0, and a sacrifice fly capped the scoring at six runs.

UNE got one back in the 4th on a bases-loaded ground out. Gosper then sent the first pitch of the 6th over the fence in left to make it 6-2, but that was as close as the hosts would get.

In addition to three hits of her own, Weidler got the win in the circle for Eastern Nazarene with three strikeouts and 10 hits allowed. Jimenez, Payton Fry, and Emily Gomez each had a pair of hits.

Alberghini led the Nor'easters with a 3-for-3 showing in the batter's box. Gosper registered another two hits and scored both runs, and Lauren Jones notched two singles. In the circle, Sophia Burnham took the loss over two innings of action, surrendering three earned runs. Abby Lambert dealt the next four frames and fanned four.

UNE gets right back to competition today (12 p.m.) with a home twinbill against Endicott College.