The PSU Softball Team came back from deficits in the fourth inning of both games of their doubleheader at Salem State University on Wednesday. The Panthers went on to sweep the Vikings, with final scores of 10-8 and 22-16. With the win of the first game, Coach Bruce Addison reached his 200th career win, becoming the first coach to do so in program history.
After trailing 7-0 by the bottom of the third inning of the first game, the Panthers came alive in the fourth inning, driving in nine runs in a single inning. The scoring drive was kicked off by a home run from junior Nicole Abreu (Hudson, N.H.). This was quickly followed by an RBI triple from freshman Nina Murray (Saugus, MA). RBI singles were tacked on by freshman Allison Moylan (Methuen, MA) and Abreu. Sophomore Callia Abbott (Atco, N.J.) also connected for a homer that drove in three runs to finish the Panther’s scoring marathon. Sophomore Katie Kennard (Concord, N.H.) chalked up an RBI single in the fifth for good measure.
Freshman pitcher Jessica Pietersen (Norton, MA) got her first career win for PSU with the victory in the first game. After coming in during the third to relieve senior pitcher Whitney Roberts (Chocorua, N.H.), she gave up only two runs and three hits. She walked two and had five strikeouts.
In the second game, the Panthers were down once again 11-3 in the third inning, but managed another wild scoring drive in the fourth, driving in seven runs. PSU would take the lead in the next inning, scoring nine runs to Salem State’s four. They tacked on three more in the remaining innings, while the Vikings crossed the plate just one more time. The final score was 22-16.
Kennard had a double, a home run, and a PSU-record nine RBIs, going 5-for-6 in the second game. The previous RBI record for a single game was seven, chalked up by Sharon Brown in 1987. There were also two 4-for-4 at bats from freshman Kim Leiter (Manchester, N.H.), who knocked out a triple, reached twice on walks, and scored six times, and from senior Sam Madore (Bristol, CT), who had two doubles and drove in three runs.
Roberts would take the win in the second game as the relief pitcher, throwing for the last three innings. She gave up only two unearned runs and three hits, while striking out seven.
With the sweep, the Panthers improve to 3-10 (1-0 LEC). They play away again on Saturday afternoon, in a doubleheader at Castleton State College.