Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Kate Wilmot clocked a bases-clearing double to right-center late in the nightcap to erase a two-run deficit and start the University of New England towards a 7-3 softball victory over Salve Regina University on Wednesday evening (Apr. 14) at Toppa Field. The Seahawks took the opener by a 4-0 margin.

The Nor'easters (1-1) had gone 709 days between competition, ever since the 2019 Commonwealth Coast Conference title game (May 5). Salve Regina settles at 6-6 overall after the doubleheader.

After a pair of 1st-inning walks netted the Seahawks two runs in GAME 2 (UNE 7-3), the spread became three with a couple hits and a sacrifice fly in the 3rd.

The visitors got one back in the top of the 4th (3-1), cashing in on a lead-off single by Taylor Depot when Wilmot singled to right field.

Following a double-play to get out of the 5th, UNE took advantage of an opening error in the 6th. With Depot aboard, singles by Grace Tutt and Megan Chamberlain filled the bases ahead of Wilmot's timely connection. With two away and Wilmot on third, Makenzy Herron knocked her second hit of the contest to make it 5-3.

The Nor'easters added some insurance in the 7th, with a lead-off single from Kylie Lavallee and double by Depot. Lavallee then scored on a wild pitch, and Depot on a groundout.

Jordan Strum surrendered three hits over three innings of relief to secure the win in the circle. Both she and starter Alie Martell struck out three.

Anna Mihalek absorbed the loss in six innings of work. Christina Braid had two hits and an RBI groundout for Salve Regina.

Lavallee, Depot, Tutt, and Nicole Cacciola all recorded hits in both games of the twinbill.

The difference in GAME 1 (SRU 4-0) came in the last half of the 5th, when the hosts plated all four of their runs. A couple one-out singles set the stage for Nikki Vanelli, who doubled to the gap in left-center to drive in two. Then a two-out double from Maddie Capetta sent in Vanelli, and two errors added one more.

Maddy Fluke shut the door the rest of the way, retiring the final six batters for the shutout. Fluke allowed five hits and one walk, while striking out four, as she picked up her fourth pitching victory.

Strum fanned five in the setback, and conceded six hits along with one free pass. UNE threatened in the early-going, getting runners to first and third with two gone in the 1st, and receiving a one-out double from Lavallee in the 2nd, but could not put anything on the board.