The ladies of the Plymouth State Softball team swept non-conference competitor Lyndon State on Thursday (4/16), needing extra innings in both games of the doubleheader to extend their win streak to four. Both of the games lasted eight innings.
The Panthers exploded into action in the first game, scoring three runs in their first at bats in the top of the first. Sophomore Katie Kennard (Concord, N.H.) connected with a RBI double for the first run and freshman Abrie Davis (Amherst, N.H.) pounded out a two-run homer to give Plymouth the 3-0 lead.
The scoring action was back and forth up until the bottom of the third, with the score tied at five. It remained tied with no more action at home plate until PSU reached for one on an infield error and one on a RBI single from freshman Nina Murray (Saugus, M.A.) at the top of the eighth. This brought the score to 7-5. The Hornets answered in the bottom of the inning with a RBI single from sophomore Dakota Crane, but it would not be enough. PSU got the next two batters out with a pop-up and a strikeout, the final score 7-6.
Senior pitcher Whitney Roberts (Chocorua, N.H.) took the win, throwing a little over six innings of relief, striking out five and walking four.
The second game was scoreless until the top of the fourth, when the Panthers pulled ahead with three runs. Senior Cynthia Barata (New Fairfield, C.T.) connected with a two RBI double and freshman Lisa Osborne (Gilmanton, N.H.) tacked on a RBI single. Lyndon answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth, with two runs scored on a double from senior Jillian Emery and a RBI double from classmate Katie Ste. Marie.
With the score tied 3-3, the Panthers jumped into action again in the top of the eighth with three more runs. Kennard connected with a RBI double while junior Julia Royer (Pawcatuck, C.T.) chalked up a two-run homer. Lyndon went three-up, three-down in their next at bat to give PSU the win. The final score was 6-3.
Freshman Jessica Pietersen (Norton, M.A.) took the win on the mound after tossing three innings of relief. She allowed just one run on two hits and two walks and struck out three.
With the sweep, the Panthers improve to 8-13 overall (3-2 LEC). Their home opener is scheduled for Saturday with a LEC doubleheader against UMass Boston, beginning at 1:00 p.m.