KEENE, N.H. – The Plymouth State College softball team split their doubleheader against Keene State College with a 3-2 victory in the first game and a 5-1 loss in the nightcap. The games, played at Keene State, were the opening games of the Little East Conference for the Panthers. The games leave the Panthers with a 15-4 record overall and 3-3 in conference play, and Keene State at 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the Little East.
Plymouth sophomore pitcher Kim Jeffs took the win, allowing only two runs on five hits and striking out 16. Jeffs was also recognized as the LEC Pitcher of the Week. Other key players for the Panthers were junior Kristen Balles with an RBI double in the second inning and Adriene Harvey, who had three hits during the game. In the loss, Annie Metz scored the only run of the game.
One of Harvey’s hits was a record-breaking two-run homer in the sixth inning. The homerun gives Harvey the Plymouth State College softball career homerun record with 17. Both Harvey and Sara Wormwood, who had hit 16 homeruns from 1997-2000, previously shared the record. Wormwood and Harvey also currently share the PSC single-season homerun record with seven apiece. Harvey was also recognized at the LEC Player of the Week.
The Panthers also suffered two losses to Eastern Connecticut State University in a Little East Conference doubleheader. The Warriors swept the games 2-1 in 10 innings and 6-1 in the nightcap.
Panther pitcher Kim Jeffs took the loss in the first game, despite performing her best so far this season, allowing only five hits and striking out a season high 17 batters. Freshman Rose Eaton took the second loss. Eastern pitcher Lindsay Savalle took both wins.
Plymouth got key performances from junior Michelle Knox and Adriene Harvey, who scored on doubles at the beginning of the sixth. Pinch runner Jess Rouselle also scored on Harvey’s clutch double.
Eastern was led by Savelle, who drove in two runs. Junior Annmarie Fillian also brought in two runs on a double, and Rowan scored in the third as well as hitting a triple and single during the games.
The Panthers will play again at Bates College at 4 p.m. on April 17 and then Rhode Island College on Saturday April 19. The Panthers will not return home until their game against Southern Maine on Tuesday, April 22.