Softball Downs UMass Dartmouth

In a make-up Little East Conference matchup at UMass Dartmouth on Monday (April 20^th), the PSU Softball team exploded at bat to open the game, going on to defeat the Corsairs in six innings.

The Panthers benefitted from an error-filled first inning, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. Freshman Kim Leiter (Manchester, N.H.) and sophomore Katie Kennard (Concord, N.H.) both crossed home on defensive errors to begin the scoring action. Junior Nicole Abreu (Hudson, N.H.) followed with a two-run homer and senior Sam Madore (Bristol, C.T.) connected with a RBI double to end the inning. Sophomore Rachel Morrissey (Salem, N.H.) scored one more in the top of the second on a passed ball, bringing the Panther lead to 6-0.

UMass scored their first run in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Marissa Spinuzzi, but it would be their only run of the game. The action at home plate was quiet, until the top of the sixth when the Panthers tacked on three more runs. Kennard was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to send senior Whitney Roberts (Chocorua, N.H.) home and freshman Abrie Davis (Amherst, N.H.) connected with a two RBI double. This brought the score to 9-1.

The Corsairs were unable to answer with any more runs during their next at-bat, and the game was called after six innings due to the eight run rule.

Freshman pitcher Jessica Pietersen (Norton, MA) tossed a full game and took the win for PSU.  She only allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks, and struck out three.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 12-14 (7-3 LEC). They have won eight of their last nine games and are currently third in the Little East standings. Their doubleheader at Keene that was scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed, so PSU will return to action on Thursday in a non-conference matchup at Middlebury College beginning at 3:30 p.m.