Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

WENHAM, Mass. -- Sydnee Bessler hurled a one-hitter in the opener and tossed an eight-out save in the nightcap to lead the University of New England past Gordon College by tallies of 6-0 and 3-0 in a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball doubleheader on Wednesday (Apr. 17).

The Nor'easters improve to 20-11 on the year, and now stand alone in second place with a 9-3 ledger in league outings. UNE will head to Western New England University (7-5 CCC) on Friday; first pitch is slated for 3 p.m.

Gordon drops to 15-17 overall and 4-10 in conference dates.

Bessler whiffed six batters in GAME 1 (UNE 6-0) while allowing just one walk on top of the one single in the 1st inning. The Nor'easters totaled 10 hits in the contest -- two apiece from Caroline Schoenbucher, Avery Alberghini, and Meg Harvey, who each recorded one double.

Harvey sent home Schoenbucher for a 1-0 cushion in the initial frame, and Alberghini drove in Anna Sessa after a lead-off single in the 3rd. Both runs came with two outs.

It was 3-0 entering the 5th stanza, when UNE added three more before the first out of the inning. A single by Alexis Kapsambelis started the visitors and Schoenbucher followed to make the margin four. Alberghini's second hit then set the stage for a two-run, pinch-hit single from Zea Macris.

Rose Shannon accounted for the lone hit by the Fighting Scots. Caitlin Catalanotto took the pitching loss.

The Nor'easters were out-hit by a 6-3 spread in GAME 2 (UNE 3-0), but manufactured enough offense with the aid of three Gordon errors.

Starting pitcher Melissa Sprague got the win, going 4.1 innings with six strikeouts and no walks. Bessler came into a one-run advantage with the bases loaded and one away in the bottom of the 5th, but a grounder into a force play at the plate and a groundout back to the circle ended the threat. Bessler fanned four the rest of the way.

Alberghini got UNE on the board in the 4th after a lead-off single. A stolen base, sacrifice, and fielder's choice later resulted in the 1-0 edge.

Schoenbucher reached on an error to begin the 6th, right ahead of an infield single by Alberghini. Both swiped the next bases, and Macris notched an RBI with a fielder's choice that moved Schoenbucher the last 60 feet for an insurance run. Andrea Gosper soon followed with a squeeze bunt that allowed Alberghini to score again.

Kristen Brown surrendered one earned run in the setback for Gordon.