UNE splits twinbill with Panthers (12-1, 0-8)

Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

Recap, photo courtesy of University of New England

PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- The University of New England cruised to a 12-1 victory (5 innings) over Plymouth State University in the opener of a softball doubleheader on Thursday afternoon (Apr. 12) at D&M Park, only to see the Panthers return an 8-0 result (6 innings) during the nightcap.

Both sides remain above .500 on the season, with the Nor'easters now at 12-10 and PSU at 14-10.

The respective pitchers had the edge at the start of GAME 1 (UNE 12-1), as 15 of the first 16 batters were retired. Kayla Nester was the first to reach base for Plymouth State, singling with one out in the bottom of the 3rd, and later scored on a bases-loaded flyout that put the hosts ahead.

That cushion didn't last long, however, as UNE sent 11 batters to the dish in the top of the 4th and registered five runs. The score was tied (1-1) with two away before Anna Sessa and Andrea Gosper recorded back-to-back two-RBI singles to vault the Nor'easters in front.

Twelve more stepped up for the visitors in the 5th, leading to seven runs. Sessa had a three-RBI triple in the frame, while Sophia Monti, Sam Dreissig, and Meg Harvey all produced run-scoring hits.

Sydnee Bessler chalked up her 12th win in the circle, fanning three against three hits, a walk, and one hit-by-pitch.

Sessa's five-RBI performance was the highest by a Nor'easter this year, as well as a career-high. Alexis Kapsambelis and Sarah Lachapelle matched her with two hits each.

For PSU, Caitlyn Miller took the loss in four innings of work, surrendering just one earned run as UNE took control.

Kayla Mathieu and Miller got the win and save, respectively, in GAME 2 (PSU 8-0), conceding a combined eight hits and no walks.

The Panthers put one on the board in both the 1st and 3rd innings off the bat of Ashley Deyo, whose first of two singles plated Hannah Seidner (2 hits, 2 runs), and then her sacrifice fly scored Debra Morrill (2 hits, 2 runs).

It was 3-0 with two gone in the 5th when Plymouth State broke it open, with an RBI-single by Cassidy Emerson (2 hits), a two-RBI triple from Mel Goss, and an RBI-double by Jen Landers (2 hits). Rylee MacMillan hit a walk-off homer in the last half of the 6th to end the contest in PSU's favor.

Meanwhile, UNE stranded two aboard in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th stanzas.

Sessa doubled her hit count on the day with two more to lead the Nor'easters. Bessler absorbed the setback in just two innings of action.