CLERMONT, Fla. -- The University of New England methodically built a five-run cushion through four frames on the way to a 5-2 softball victory over Worcester State University on Sunday (Mar. 16) as the first day of the new season continued at The Spring Games.

Cat Higgins notched the pitching win for the Nor'easters (1-1), going five innings. The grad student worked around a bases-loaded with one out situation in the 2nd, while a double play by Fiona Casey and Abby Walsh negated a similar moment in the 3rd. The Lancers (0-1) couldn't do anything with their first outfield hit that started the 4th, but a pair of doubles led off the 5th to cut into the 5-0 deficit.

Kara MacDonald entered in the 6th with a three-run lead and fanned three against two hits to tally the save.

UNE's offense put one run on the board in each of the first three at-bats. In the 1st, a two-out single by Delaney Whitten converted a double from Emma Michaud, and Grace Riva had a leadoff double that turned into a score in the 2nd. Whitten doubled and Walsh singled in the 3rd, and a sac fly made it 3-0.

In the 4th, a double from Hannah Lappin and single by Hannah Irons eventually became two runs, after a steal, wild pitch, and sac fly by Michaud.

Michaud joined Whitten with two hits for the Nor'easters.

Bella Gasbarro and Emma Lanpher combined for five of Worcester State's 10 hits, and both runs batted in. Sarah Gosselin took the loss in 3.2 innings of action.