Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

WENHAM, Mass. -- Melissa Sprague pitched the University of New England to a 5-1 victory over Gordon College in the opener of a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 22). Later in the day, GC walked-off with a 2-1 result to tie the series.

It was the second-to-last league outing for both sides, with the regular-season concluding over the next few days. The Nor'easters now stand at 13-13 overall and 8-8 in CCC action, while the Fighting Scots move to 13-19 on the year and 6-10 within the conference slate.

Sprague took a one-hitter into the 7th inning of GAME 1, and wrapped things up surrendering three hits in all, while fanning nine against no walks.

Sydney Helmbrecht led the offense with three hits, and had a two-RBI single in the 3rd that put UNE on the board. Avery Alberghini added two hits and two runs scored, and one of the two singles by Lauren Gerhard plated Helmbrecht to make it 5-0 in the final inning.

Sprague had retired 20 consecutive Gordon batters before a two-out home run by Sarah Ryder broke up the shutout bid in the last stanza.

Emily Kline was responsible for three earned runs in the loss for the hosts, while striking out three.

GAME 2 came down to the wire, ending with a two-out RBI-single through the left side by Megan Jenkerson that scored Emily Burkhart from second base. It was Jenkerson's third hit of the contest; Burkhart reached with one away on her second hit.

Burkhart also tallied the tying run (1-1) in the 5th. Her one-out double was followed by an error, and Jenkerson collected the RBI with a sacrifice fly.

Caitlin Catalanotto struck out five to earn her tenth win for the Fighting Scots. She allowed four hits and three walks to the opposing lineup.

Katelyn Austin was charged with the setback in 6.2 innings of work, though the game-deciding connection occurred in the moments after her exit from the UNE circle. She recorded eight strikeouts against five hits and one free pass.

The Nor'easters registered their lone marker in the top of the 1st, as Alberghini walked and stole two bases before Helmbrecht lofted up a sacrifice fly to drive in the run.

UNE had runners at second and third with one gone in the 7th, looking to regain the advantage, but Catalanotto whiffed the next two batters to keep the score level.

Gerhard accounted for half of the hits for the visiting squad.

Next Up: UNE will return home on Sunday (12 p.m.) for two key games against Curry College (7-7 CCC).