Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
Photos

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England defeated Plymouth State University by a 5-0 margin in the first game of a softball doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon (Apr. 20), before the Panthers claimed a 5-3 result in the nightcap to earn a split at Claude Dubois Field.

It marks a 10th straight season of 20 victories for the Nor'easters (20-10), while the Panthers move to 9-19 on the year.

Katelyn Austin and Sophia Burnham limited Plymouth State from the start to secure the decision in GAME 1 for UNE. Austin struck out three over four innings to pick up her seventh win, and Burnham was equally efficient the rest of the way for the save. Both surrendered two hits during their time, and neither conceded a walk.

The Nor'easters tacked one on the board in the bottom of the 1st, as Avery Alberghini drilled a lead-off triple to the wall in right and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Amanda Vallante. Andrea Gosper doubled the margin in the 2nd, taking a lead-off single and turning it into a run.

The 2-0 difference held until the 6th, when Abby Lambert came through with a one-out double down the line in left, scoring a pair. Lambert ended up at third as the play ended with an error, and scored as Lauren Jones guided a single through the right side.

For the Panthers, Autumn Beyor and Taylor Wood shared the four singles on offense. Whitney Roberts fanned three in the loss.

Beyor got things going for PSU in GAME 2, notching a lead-off single to center and using a sacrifice, single, and error to plate the first run.

UNE looked to bounce right back in the last half of the 1st, but stranded runners at second and third with one out.

The home portion of the 4th began with a triple to right-center by Gosper, who then beat out the throw to the plate on the ensuing fielder's choice. Jones followed and put the Nor'easters ahead, 2-1, with a double to the same spot. UNE worked two into scoring position with two away but could not extend the advantage.

Big Blue did add one more (3-1) in the 6th on a bases-loaded walk. Three singles started the frame before consecutive outs, and the Nor'easters again left three runners aboard.

All those empty chances proved costly for UNE, as a one-out single by Julia Royer and subsequent double by Melissa Goss set the stage for the Panthers in the 7th and a pinch-hit, game-tying single to center by Abrie Davis. Following the second out of the inning, Lindsey Hall lined a single off the glove of a fielder and out-of-play, advancing both runners one base. Then, like Davis, pinch hitter Katie Kennard jumped on the first pitch she saw and knocked it into the right-center gap to swing Plymouth State in front (5-3).

The Nor'easters got two on with two gone in their last at-bat, but were unable to rally. In total, the hosts left 12 on the bases during the match.

Allison Moylan went the distance for her win of the season in the PSU circle. Royer had a team-high two hits.

Sydnee Bessler took the setback for Big Blue in two innings of work. Prior to that, Lambert struck out three over three innings and Melissa Sprague retired each of the six batters she faced during the 4th and 5th.

For UNE, which heads to Bates College for some non-league action on Thursday (3:30 p.m.), Vallante closed the day with an active 8-game hitting streak. Ashlee Roy contributed a hit and a run in the nightcap.