Softball Drops First Playoff Game

The Plymouth State Softball team lost to Keene State during Game 3 of the LEC Tournament on Thursday. The Panthers managed just three hits during the game, none of which resulted in any scoring action. The final score was 4-0.

Keene struck early, scoring their first run in the bottom of the first inning on an error from PSU’s centerfield. In their next at-bat, KSC managed two more runs on RBI doubles from both sophomore Kayla Votto and junior Stephanie Long. The Owls tacked on one more in the bottom of the third with a home run from sophomore Jen Galavotti.

The Panthers’ best chance to score came in the top of the sixth, when sophomore Rachel Morrissey (Salem, N.H.) singled and advanced to second on an error by the center fielder. She advanced to third on a ground-out by freshman Nina Murray (Saugus, M.A.), but Keene would keep her there by making the next two outs.

PSU’s other two hits were made on a single by sophomore Emma Rhodes (Rochester, N.H.) in the top of the third and a double from freshman Abrie Davis (Amherst, N.H.) in the top of the seventh.

Keene’s junior pitcher Mariah Crisp chalked up her first shutout of the season with the win, allowing just the three hits and striking out five batters. Senior pitcher Whitney Roberts took the loss on the mound for PSU, allowing the four runs on five hits, while striking out three.

With the loss, the Panthers drop to 13-20 (8-7 LEC). They will face off against top-seeded Eastern Connecticut in Game 5 of the LEC tournament