Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
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GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine notched 16 runs on the day to sweep (10-5, 6-4) the University of New England in a non-conference softball double-header on Sunday afternoon (Apr. 17) at the USM Softball Stadium. 

With the wins, the Huskies improve their overall record to 17-8-1 on the year. The Nor'easters now stand at 19-9 on the year. 

The home team got on the board first in GAME 1 with three consecutive one-out doubles by Taylor Lux, Courtney Davis, and Shelby Obert netted two runs in the 1st inning.

After a scoreless 2nd, UNE would get one back in the 3rd when Kelly Murphy singled to drive in Avery Alberghini. Southern Maine, however, responded in the bottom of the frame as Obert doubled again to bring in Davis. Obert later scored off of a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1. 

Big Blue tied things up in the 4th with a trio of two-out RBI-singles from Erin Walsh, Amanda Vallante, and Murphy. UNE stranded two in scoring position when the inning ended.

After the Huskies left the bases juiced in the their half of the 4th, USM separated itself in the 5th, tallying six off of new UNE pitcher Katelyn Austin. The initial eight batters of the stanza reached; six by way of hits, capped by a third double from Obert that plated a pair to bring her RBI total in the game to four. The starter for the Nor'easters, Melissa Sprague, re-entered to retire the next three.

The visitors managed to load the bags with one away in the 7th, and got a two-out infield single by Sydney Helmbrecht to cut into the deficit, but couldn't sustain the rally.

Davis matched Obert with three hits for USM, while Lux and Samantha Crossman added two each. Lux and Davis shared the team-high of two runs scored. Katelyn Tucker worked the last 3 1/3 from the circle to pick up the win.

Walsh and Sophia Burnham (2 doubles) joined Murphy with two hits for the Nor'easters. Sprague closed with seven strikeouts and three earned runs over six innings.

After USM left two in scoring position in the 1st inning of GAME 2, Amber Kelly helped her own cause and started a two-run 2nd with the first of three hits in the contest. Both Kelly and Morgan Scavetta later scored in the session.

Kelly kept UNE off the board through three and the Huskies posted a four-spot in the bottom of the 3rd to gain a 6-0 cushion. With two away and a runner on first, Kelly put an RBI-double into left. An error then set runners at the corners for Scavetta, who sent a homer over the fence in left field.

The Nor'easters responded a bit in the 4th, as Vallante and Murphy singled before a bases-loaded single up the middle from Andrea Gosper to bring in two scores. Though UNE stranded two in scoring position at the conclusion of the inning, the Big Blue got right back to work and pulled to within 6-4 with no outs in the 5th. One run was already across when Vallante guided an RBI-single through the right side.

The Huskies threatened to pad the lead with one down in the home half of the 5th but left three aboard. UNE did the same in the 6th in an effort to close the gap, and a lead-off single from Vallante in the 7th was followed with a double-play to all but negate Big Blue's chances of a comeback.

Kelly improved her personal mark to 10-2 with the positive decision, while having the team-high in hits. Mary Caron and Lux added two base-knocks apiece.

Vallante wound going 4-for-4 at the dish for UNE, and Alberghini contributed two hits. Sydnee Bessler (4-1) gave up three earned runs from the circle in the setback. 

Up next, the Nor'easters will look to bounce back on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. when they head to Bates College.