Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Junior Amanda Vaudreuil drove in the go-ahead run in the top of the 7th inning as the University of New England scored three in its last at-bat to defeat Smith College, 5-2, on Thursday morning (Mar. 21) at the Lee County Sports Complex in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Softball Classic.

With two down and a runner on first, Big Blue senior Erin Grover notched her fourth hit of the contest (4 at-bats) to put two aboard. Vaudreuil singled to right to plate one, and, after a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, an infield throwing error resulted in two more runs coming in to score.

First-year Lauren Doneski retired the Pioneers in order to end it in the bottom of the 7th. For the game, she struck out five against zero walks and allowed six hits to go to 3-0. Sophomore Gabrielle LaRoche tallied a pair of hits to support the offense.

The Nor'easters (5-4) never trailed in the match, getting on the scoreboard in the 3rd behind a one-out triple to right by Grover and a sacrifice bunt by Vaudreuil.

Smith (4-3) answered with a pair of doubles in the bottom of the inning from Caroline Kushner and Tori Brown.

In the 4th UNE went back on top, with a two-out triple to right field by first-year Amanda Vallante and an RBI-single from classmate Jess Lemos.

However, two errors and an RBI-single from Brittany Purington tied things at 2-2 for Smith in the last of the 4th.

Brown had a team-high two hits for the Pioneers, while Gina Martucci went the distance in the circle, giving up three earned runs and 11 hits and striking out three.