Southern Maine Sweeps Pair from Plymouth Softball

GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Katie Mainville and junior Melissa Henderson twirled a pair of complete-game shutouts Tuesday afternoon as the University of Southern Maine swept a Little East Conference softball doubleheader from Plymouth State University by identical scores of 2-0.Southern Maine improved to 24-5 overall and 9-3 in the league, while Plymouth State slipped to 11-14 and 3-7.Game one featured a pitchers’ duel between Mainville and junior Kim Jeffs of Plymouth State. Neither side could manufacture a run until the bottom of the fifth, when junior Natasha Jackson stroked a one-out single and scored on a two-out double by senior Jessie Becher.The Huskies added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Ashley Woodcock drew a lead-off walk and later scored when freshman Christen Lachappelle hit into a fielders’ choice.Mainville fanned nine and scattered three singles to improve to 13-1, while Jeffs, who fanned five and yielded six hits, fell to 7-8.In the second game, Woodcock drew a walk, stole second and took advantage of a pair of passed balls to score and give the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Huskies added an insurance run in the sixth when senior Darci Holland singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Caterina Riitano.Henderson ensured the two runs would stand by fanning six and allowing just one walk and four hits to collect her 10th win of the season (10-4). Sophomore Rose Eaton, who fanned two, walked two and gave up six hits through 6.1 innings, was charged with the loss (4-5).The Panthers will return home to entertain UMass Boston and UMass Dartmouth for doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, respectively (1 p.m.).