Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Top-seeded Endicott College claimed a wild 9-8 outcome in game one (9 innings) before capturing a 13-0 result in game two (5 innings) to advance over No.2 University of New England from the Pod B Final best-of-3 series of the 2021 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon (May 1) at the EC Softball Complex.

The Gulls (17-2) will square off against Western New England University next weekend in a best-of-3 series for the league title. The Golden Bears swept second-seeded Nichols College with scores of 5-3 and 8-3 in the other pod matchup.

The Nor'easters finish the year, under interim head coach Kim Lorenc, with an overall mark of 6-7. The unique circumstances of the season included 18 canceled games.

UNE struck first in GAME 1 (EC 9-8) with a run in the top of the 3rd inning. Endicott countered with four in its next at-bat, but the Nor'easters used the 4th and 5th frames to move back in front, 6-4. Four more in the bottom of the 6th put the Gulls on top, 8-6, however UNE tied things up in its last chance of regulation.

Endicott couldn't convert lead-off singles into a walk-off run in either the 7th or 8th, but did manage to capitalize on one in the bottom of the 9th to get the deciding tally with two away. The third hit of the session, by Keelin Spencer, was deep enough into the left-center gap to score Meghan Connor from third base.

Maria Hanchuk secured her sixth win in 2.2 of relief, entering the match after UNE closed to within 8-7 in the 7th. All eight outs during her time were by way of the strikeout. Michaela Hamill fanned five over 4.1 as the Gulls' starter. On the other side for the visitors, Jordan Strum went the distance, striking out six and surrendering four earned runs.

Lauren Misiaszek had a team-high three hits for the hosts, including a solo home run to cap the four-run 3rd. Connor and Raven Comtois both had two hits, while Chrissy Marotto, Carly Marchitto, and Adrianna Favreau all notched RBI-singles in the 6th.

The Nor'easters out-hit Endicott, 13-12, topped by Makenzy Herron with three, and each one drove in a run (4th, 5th, 7th). Grace Tutt extended her hitting streak to 12 contests with a pair of singles, and two also came from Kate Wilmot and Megan Chamberlain. Chamberlain scored for a second time on Herron's double in the 7th, and Herron touched with the tying score (her second) on a pinch-hit single by Liz Scheurich. UNE's other two extra-base connections plated runs, as well -- a Kylie Lavallee double in the 4th, and a Nicole Cacciola two-bagger in the 5th.

Batting first in GAME 2 (EC 13-0), the No.1 seed plated five runs in each of the 1st and 2nd opportunities to seize control. Comtois made the first move with an RBI-single, and Misiaszek followed with a three-run blast. Three of the team's seven free passes contributed to one more in the initial inning.

Favreau kicked off the next round with a homer, and Misiaszek singled in another shortly thereafter. Two batters later, Spencer's first of two hits joined the home run effort for a 10-0 lead. In the 4th, an RBI-single from Christina Nowicki and two-run double by Favreau established the final margin.

Hanchuk recorded the shutout in the circle, striking out seven against just one hit and a walk.

Wilmot, who registered UNE's lone single in the 2nd, took the pitching setback. Alie Martell and Strum also spent time working from the rubber.