Box Score

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Both University of New England runs came off the bat of junior Erin Grover (Biddeford, Maine) and first-year Kelly Reid (Nantucket, Mass.) surrendered just three hits, as the third-seed Nor'easters took their Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Softball Championship opener against No. 6 Western New England University by a score of 2-1 Monday afternoon (Apr. 30) at the Endicott College Softball Complex.

UNE (23-12) advances in the top half of the double elimination bracket to face second-seeded Endicott College later this afternoon.

The Golden Bears (16-22) fall for the first time and will play again on Thursday against the loser between Salve Regina University and Roger Williams University.

Reid (4 strikeouts) and WNE pitcher Sarah Lempicki (6 strikeouts) were locked in a pitcher's duel throughout the contest, keeping their respective offenses in check. Like Reid, Lempicki allowed just three hits and one earned run in the game.

Each of those earned runs came on solo homers to left. The Golden Bears went in front (1-0) as the second batter of the day, Hannah Hill, chalked her first shot of the season. It wasn't until the 4th that Grover hit her second of the year to tie things up.

In the bottom of the 6th, UNE received a one-out single to center by senior Ashley Gott (Winterport, Maine), who then stole second. After advancing to third base on a sacrifice bunt, Gott scored when Grover ripped a drive that couldn't be handled at second base and bounced into the outfield.

WNE went down, in order, in the 7th for Reid to notch her 13th win of the year. Junior Megan Gauger (South Paris, Maine) had the other hit for Big Blue in the 2nd inning.