Game 1 Statistics
Game 2 Statistics

BEVERLY, Mass. -- The University of New England plated five runs in the top of the 7th inning of game two to separate from Endicott College and secure a key 6-1 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball victory on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 9) at the EC Softball Complex. The Gulls rallied to take the opener of the doubleheader, 5-2.

The Nor'easters move to 10-14 overall and 4-2 against CCC opponents, entering Sunday's matchup (12 p.m.) with Suffolk University at home. It was UNE's first win versus Endicott (12-6, 5-1 CCC) since defeating the Gulls in the winner's bracket final of the 2019 conference tournament. EC has claimed the last two league titles.

A weather delay lasting two hours and 41 minutes halted the completion of the 5th frame in what turned into the nightcap.

Jordan Strum struck out four, walked none, and allowed four hits in the circle for the Nor'easters during GAME 2 (UNE 6-1). After yielding a single in the 3rd, back-to-back doubles in the 5th produced Endicott's lone run right before the pause. Following the weather break, a two-out double in the 6th was all the Gulls could get from Strum.

A two-out RBI-single from Lindsay Joyal gave UNE the lead in the 2nd, plating Taylor Depot after a double.

The match went 1-1 into the last stanza, and the Nor'easters quickly took steps to gain the edge. A lead-off double by Megan Chamberlain and single from Joyal became two in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. A walk loaded the bases prior to the second out, but Makenzy Herron came through with a left-side single for a 2-1 edge. Then, Abby Miner changed things dramatically, lofting a grand slam over the wall in left field; her fourth homer of the year, raising her team-best RBI total to 22.

Depot joined Joyal with two hits for UNE, which registered nine off losing pitcher Jaylin Couto. Couto fanned nine and walked a pair. 

Alie Martell worked past two walks in the bottom of the 1st inning in GAME 1 (EC 5-2), a lead-off double in the 2nd, and a single to begin the 3rd. However a double by Lauren Misiaszek to start the 4th eventually turned into a run on a two-out single from Carly Marchitto.

That margin didn't last long, though, as the Nor'easters received one-out singles from Martell and Tina LeBlanc, and a two-out walk to keep things going, before Joyal came in for a pinch-hit, two-run single.

LeBlanc in right, and Miner at first, helped the cause the last half of the inning with a double play, getting Martell through five full with the 2-1 lead. Grace Tutt notched her second hit to open the 6th, but UNE could not extend the advantage.

Misiaszek and Taylor Chelak posted their second hits to kick off the the Endicott 6th against Kate Wilmot, and a pinch-hit single from Chloe Shapleigh tied it up. Marchitto singled home another to retake the lead (3-2), shortly before a sacrifice fly and wild pitch added to the cushion.

Maria Hanchuk retired the side in the UNE 7th to seal it, and wound up with 14 strikeouts in the EC circle.