Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The University of New England scored three runs in the bottom of the 2nd to gain a lead it would not relinquish, as the Nor'easters completed play at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Softball Classic on Thursday (Mar. 21) with a 5-4 victory over Hamilton College at the Lee County Sports Complex.

The Nor'easters won five of their last six during the trip to Florida, coming away with a 6-4 mark. The Continentals drop to 2-5 with the setback.

Eight different players recorded hits in the game for UNE, and five of those individuals scored runs. First-year Abby Lambert earned her second win (2-2) in as many starts.

Already down 1-0 to Hamilton, Big Blue struck for three runs in the bottom of the 2nd. Junior Jessica Potter singled and safely reached second base on a fielder's choice play off the bat of first-year Amanda Vallante. Both advanced with a wild pitch, and rookie Kelly Murphy singled them home with a poke to right field. Murphy scored on the same play, as the ball was misplayed in the outfield.

Ellie Kiernan got on with a triple to left in the 3rd, and scored for a second time when Melissa Kaknis drove her home for the second time. The pair had also given the Continentals the lead in the 1st with hits.

UNE restored the two-run margin (4-2) almost immediately in the bottom of the 3rd. A walk by senior Megan Gauger preceeded a single to center by junior Amanda Vaudreuil, moving Gauger to third. First-year Meghan Bolano then allowed Gauger to score with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Nor'easters stranded three on the bases loaded in the frame, before the final two outs.

With a 4-3 cushion in the 5th, Bolano led off with a single to right-center and later crossed the plate on an RBI-single to right-center by junior Kirstyn Tracey.

Olivia Gozdz reached with a hit and scored -- both for a second time -- in the top of the 6th for Hamilton to make the difference one (5-4).

UNE turned its second double play of the week to end things in the 7th and preserve the slim lead.

The Nor'easters return to New England to open Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) play on Tuesday (3 p.m.) with a twinbill at Western New England University.