SB: Relentless Panthers battle for split with WestConn - Plymouth State University (2024)

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Plymouth State University scored five times in the bottom of the sixth to rally past Western Connecticut State University in game one of a Little East Conference (LEC) softball double header at D&M Park on Saturday.

The visitors plated single runs in the second, third and fifth innings and PSU's offense ran into bad luck throughout the first five innings as several hard-hit balls were delivered to a well-positioned WestConn defense. Plymouth State loaded the bases in the sixth and a walk and RBI single from freshman Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) cut the margin to 3-2. Sophom*ore Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) followed with a two-run double, and another run scored on a ground out as PSU jumped ahead, 5-3, and sophom*ore Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) wrapped up the complete game win with a one-two-three seventh.

The Panthers continued the fighting spirit into game two. WestConn carried a 6-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth, but the Panthers scored three times in the inning to cut the deficit to 6-5. The visitors answered right back with a pair of runs in the fifth to make it 8-5 and the score would remain the same into the bottom of the seventh. WestConn recorded two quick outs, but the Panthers fought back using a single and two walks to load the bases. Couch delivered a bases-clearing, game-tying double to send the game to the eighth, but the Wolves pushed a pair of runs across in the top of the inning and PSU was unable to rally again.

Plymouth State moves to 9-17 (1-7 LEC), while the Wolves go to 12-16 (4-6 LEC).

The Basics:

• GAME ONE: Plymouth State 5, WestConn 3
• GAME TWO: Plymouth State 8, WestConn 10 (8 Inn.)
  • Plymouth State (9-17, 1-7 LEC)
  • WestConn (12-16, 4-6 LEC)

How it Happened (Game One):

• The Wolves snagged a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the second.
• WestConn added a run in the third and loaded the bases, but Antrim got out of the jam allowing just the one run.
• WestConn pushed the lead to 3-0 in the fifth.
• Sophom*ore Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning, and Couch dropped a single on the left field line. Sophom*ore Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) followed with an infield hit to load the bases, but a fielder's choice and ground out ended the rally.
• Plymouth State broke through in the sixth as freshman Ariana Cray (Merrimack, N.H.) reached on an error and senior Abby Kenison (Boscawen, N.H.) walked. Montelongo followed with a single to load the bases and E. Bessette drew a walk to force in a run.
• Couch followed with an RBI single and K. Bessette put the Panthers ahead with a two-run double to left. Junior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) extended the lead to 5-3 with an RBI ground out.
• Antrim retired the side in order in the seventh to secure the complete game victory.

By the Numbers (Game One):

• Couch finished 3-for-4 with a run and RBI, while K. Bessette doubled and singled in four at bats and drove in two.
• Montelongo also had a two-hit game, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
• E. Bessette walked twice.
• Antrim struck out three and allowed just three runs for the complete game win.

How it Happened (Game Two):

• The Wolves used a two-out rally to score a run in the first.
• Plymouth State threw two runners out at home in the third, but WestConn extended the lead to 4-0.
• E. Bessette singled to start the bottom of the inning, and K. Bessette's one-out triple made it 4-1. Guertin followed with an RBI single.
• The Wolves answered right back with two in the fourth for a 6-2 lead.
• Junior Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) and Montelongo smacked back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 6-3. E. Bessette followed with a single and a sacrifice fly scored another run. K. Bessette kept the line moving with an infield hit and Guertin's single to left made it 6-5.
• WestConn quickly loaded the bases in the fifth and a single up the middle gave the visitors an 8-5 advantage.
• The Wolves recorded two quick outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Plymouth State battled back. Ly singled and Montelongo and E. Bessette drew walks to load the bases. Couch delivered the big blow, a three-run double to left, that tied the game at 8-8. K. Bessette was intentionally walked, but Guertin's hot shot toward the shortstop hole was converted to an out to send the game to extra innings.
• An error and single put runners on the corners with one down in the top of the eighth. Ly made a nice play on a safety squeeze to cut down a run at the plate, but a passed ball left two runners in scoring position and a clean single gave WestConn a 10-8 lead.
• PSU went down in order in the bottom of the eighth.

By the Numbers (Game Two):

• K. Bessette reached base five times with a triple, two singles and two walks. She scored a run and drove in one.
• E. Bessette singled twice in four at bats and also drew a walk. She scored two runs.
• Guertin went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBIs, while Cray and Ly also had two-hit games.
• Sophom*ore Abbey Nezuch (Marlborough, Mass.) allowed just one earned run over her three innings of work.

Up Next:

• Plymouth State remains in conference play on Tuesday (Apr. 23) when the Panthers head to Southern Maine for a pair of games.

– 30 –