Box Score

CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Polytechnic University scored three times in the 5th inning and once more in the 6th before having to hold on for a 4-2 decision over the University of New England on Saturday (Mar. 16) in the Cape Coral Sports Complex at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Softball Classic.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the 5th, the Blue Jays used four hits and took advantage of three UNE errors to move ahead, 3-2. Then three one-out singles and a sacrifice fly increased the Polytechnic edge to 4-2 the next time up at-bat.

The Nor'easters (0-2) managed to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the 7th, but were unable to get on the board.

Miranda Merilli went the distance for Polytechnic (1-2), striking out eight while surrendering seven hits and just one walk.

All nine players logged a hit for the Blue Jays, led by Merilli, Shelby Bruns, and Megan Moran with two apiece. Christi Bruin had two RBI in the contest.

UNE first-year Amanda Vallante (Dracut, Mass.) went 2-for-2 in the game to pace Big Blue. Sophomore Adrienne Chase (Holden, Mass.) had a two-out RBI double in the last half of the 2nd, and later scored, courtesy of Vallante.

Rookie pitcher Chelsea Damon (Scarborough, Maine) threw 6 1/3 innings for the Nor'easters, fanning two.

Big Blue continues its stay in Florida on Sunday morning with outings against the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford (9 a.m.) and the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (11 a.m.).