Hot-hitting Gulls sweep Nor'easters

Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Endicott took home a doubleheader sweep of the University of New England with final scores of 12-0 and 12-4, both in five innings, in Friday's Conference of New England softball action at Nor'easter Diamond.
 
The Gulls (9-5, 4-0 CNE) ran away with the opening game before finding themselves tied with UNE (3-11, 0-2 CNE) in Game 2, where they used a five-run third to take control and secure the sweep. Chloe Shapleigh drove in half of Endicott's runs in Game 1, hitting a grand slam en route to a six-RBI effort. Abby McClaflin totaled five hits between the two contests.
 
A three-run top of the first for Endicott spelled trouble for UNE, which recorded just two hits in GAME 1 (EC 12-0). The Gulls plated three more in the second and later busted it open with a five-run fourth that included Shapleigh's grand slam.
 
Jaylin Couto went the distance in the circle for the Gulls to earn the victory, fanning six Nor'easters over five innings of work.
 
UNE grabbed an early lead in GAME 2 (EC, 12-4) when Delaney Whitten ripped an RBI double to score Hannah Irons, who hit a leadoff single. The Gulls quickly answered with a four-run second before the Nor'easters plated three to tie the game, 4-4. Emma Michaud doubled to knock in two, bringing UNE within one, before Delaney Whitten came through with a two-out single to draw the hosts even.
 
Endicott's bats stayed hot with a five-run third, led in part by Caroline Nowicki's bases-clearing, three-run double. The Gulls kept rolling with three more in the fourth to take the commanding eight-run lead.
 
Kristen Beebe, who relieved starting pitcher Analise Grady, picked up the win after tossing three scoreless frames.
 
UNE, which saw Saturday's doubleheader at Suffolk get postponed, is now idle until Tuesday, April 1 when UMaine Farmington visits for a non-conference twin bill. Game 1 is set for 3 p.m.