Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

DUDLEY, Mass. -- Sydnee Bessler and Melissa Sprague both recorded complete-game shutouts in the circle as the University of New England notched two Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball victories (4-0, 4-0) over Nichols College on Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 2).

The senior pitchers combined for 18 strikeouts and did not walk anyone while conceding five total hits. Avery Alberghini extended her season-long hitting streak to 16 games.

Winners of six in-a-row, the Nor'easters (11-7) improve to 4-0 in league action. The Bison drop to 7-8-1 overall and 2-2 in CCC play.

Aside from a two-out double by Cara Mayhew in the 4th inning of GAME 2 (UNE 4-0), Sprague kept Nichols completely in-check. She racked up 10 strikeouts on the way to a second career one-hitter.

UNE got an RBI-single from Alexis Kapsambelis in the 3rd to get in front, before adding a couple in the 6th. Caroline Schoenbucher led off with a double and a pinch runner scored with a hit from Alberghini, who later crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly. Schoenbucher produced another double in the 7th, this time to drive home a fourth run for the visitors.

Zea Macris matched Schoenbucher's two hits for the Nor'easters, who had six total against losing pitcher Candice Nelson.

Bessler punched out eight batters in GAME 1 (UNE 4-0), and surrendered four singles to the Bison while recording her fifth win on the rubber.

Hannah Baldyga accounted for the go-ahead run in the top of the 2nd, getting on with a single and scoring on a wild pitch. In the 6th, Alberghini started with a double and came around on a two-out double by Macris for a 2-0 lead. Alberghini supplied two more in the 7th with two-run double.

Anna Sessa joined Alberghini with two of UNE's six hits off losing pitcher Alexis Ferris of Nichols, who fanned six in the setback.

Next up: The Nor'easters return home for a non-conference doubleheader against the University of Southern Maine on Thursday (3 p.m.).