WestConn Completes Sweep in Twinbill Over PSU Softball

PLYMOUTH – On Saturday, April 16 the Plymouth State University Panthers softball team was swept in a doubleheader versus the Western Connecticut Colonials in a Little East Conference matchup at D&M Park. PSU entered the game at 9-11 on the season and 1-3 in LEC play, while WestConn, the defending LEC champions, checked in at 11-6 on the season and 2-0 in LEC play. The only run of the opening game was scored by WestConn in the visiting half of the first inning when sophomore Meg Cirigliano doubled, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on a wild pitch. The game was finalized with an ending score of 1-0. Shelby Slie (7-1) of West Conn pitched the entire game by throwing a shut out with three strikeouts and no walks allowed to get credit for her seventh victory on the season. Plymouth senior Kim Jeffs was tagged for the loss despite pitching outstanding with allowing one run on four hits and striking out 15. In the second game of the doubleheader, PSU starting pitcher Rose Eaton was touched for 13 hits, and allowed solo runs in the first and third innings, and two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings. Freshman Kristen Lugovich of WestConn went 3-4 with two driven in, while junior Holly Szymanski and freshman Jessica Watts each added two hits apiece, and Brooke Morris (senior) contributed with two runs batted in. WestConn continued their dominant performance as starting pitcher Kristy Swanson carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning. PSU was able to break up the no-hitter and shut out however, as freshman Lisa Pelosi led off with a walk, followed by a Devin Caswell (freshman) single. One out later, Pelosi scored on an infield out. Colleen Courtney (sophomore) followed with PSU’s second hit of the game with a single, and was followed by a walk by freshman Kara Marvelli to load the bases. Despite the late PSU threat, PSU had only the single run to show to cap off the game with a final of 6-1. Swanson was handed the victory, while Eaton was given the loss for the game. The defeats resulted in a snap of PSU’s four game win streak and caused PSU to fall to 9-13 on the season, and 1-5 in LEC play. WestConn improved to 13-6 on the season, and they remain unbeaten in LEC play improving to 4-0. The lady Panthers will play their next home games against Bowdoin in a make-up double header on Sunday, April 24 at 1 pm. Then PSU will play another double-header on Tuesday, April 26 against Southern Maine starting at 4 pm.