Colonels Drop a Pair to Visiting UNE in Conference Softball Action
April 6, 2012
MILTON, Mass. – The University of New England overcame a 3-0 deficit in the nightcap of a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) doubleheader at Curry College, winning 8-3 to sweep the twin bill. The Nor’easters also captured the opener, 5-1.
In Game 1, UNE got all the runs it would need in the top of the first, establishing a 2-0 advantage thanks to RBI singles by first-year Gabrielle LaRoche (Deerfield, N.H.) and sophomore Jessica Potter (Crown Point, N.Y.). The Colonels pulled to within a run in the bottom of the second, as freshman Ariel LaRosa belted a solo homerun over the centerfield fence.
A pitcher’s duel ensued between a pair of rookie starters: UNE’s Kelly Reid (Nantucket, Mass.) and Curry’s Taylor Ahearn (Salem, Mass.). The scored remained 2-1 until the top of the seventh, when a bases-clearing double by sophomore Lauren Rousseau (Biddeford, Maine) gave the Nor’easters three insurance runs. Reid then retired the Colonels in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn the victory.
UNE got a three-hit performance from sophomore Ali Stanley (Rochester, N.H.), as well as two-hit efforts by LaRoche and first-year Adrienne Chase (Holden, Mass.). Reid (6-1) scattered five hits over seven strong innings, walking none and striking out seven. Ahearn (8-4) surrendered 12 hits over her seven innings of work. She walked none, fanned five and was charged with four earned runs.
In Game 2, it was the hosts who built the early advantage, getting one in the first on an RBI fielder’s choice by LaRosa; and two more in the third on a run-scoring double by sophomore Chelsey Munsey (Leominster, Mass.) and an RBI groundout by junior Mikaela Carney (North Reading, Mass.).
The Nor’easters got one back in the top of the fifth, as senior Ashley Gott (Winterport, Maine) was credited with an RBI on a misplayed grounder to third; then broke open the floodgates in the top of the seventh to score seven unearned runs. A series of fielding miscues set up the inning’s biggest hit, a three-run homer by LaRoche (3-for-4) to center field.
UNE also got multi-hit efforts from junior Erin Grover (Biddeford, Maine) and sophomore Amanda Vaudreuil (Windham, N.H.). The winning pitcher was senior Julie Bigelow (Montpelier, Vt.), who relieved Reid to start the third inning, and gave up five hits, two earned runs, and a walk over five innings. Bigelow improved to 4-2 on the season.
Munsey (3-2), the tough-luck losing pitcher, also turned in a three-hit effort. From the circle, she tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and just one earned run while striking out two. Luquet and junior Valarie LaSala (Seaford, N.Y.) collected two hits apiece for the Colonels.
With the wins, UNE improved to 12-6 overall and 6-2 in CCC action. Curry saw its records fall to 16-10 overall and 5-5 in league play.
Both teams resume play on Tuesday, with the Nor’easters hosting Southern Maine in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader, and the Colonels hosting Suffolk in a single 3:00 p.m. contest.
In Game 1, UNE got all the runs it would need in the top of the first, establishing a 2-0 advantage thanks to RBI singles by first-year Gabrielle LaRoche (Deerfield, N.H.) and sophomore Jessica Potter (Crown Point, N.Y.). The Colonels pulled to within a run in the bottom of the second, as freshman Ariel LaRosa belted a solo homerun over the centerfield fence.
A pitcher’s duel ensued between a pair of rookie starters: UNE’s Kelly Reid (Nantucket, Mass.) and Curry’s Taylor Ahearn (Salem, Mass.). The scored remained 2-1 until the top of the seventh, when a bases-clearing double by sophomore Lauren Rousseau (Biddeford, Maine) gave the Nor’easters three insurance runs. Reid then retired the Colonels in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn the victory.
UNE got a three-hit performance from sophomore Ali Stanley (Rochester, N.H.), as well as two-hit efforts by LaRoche and first-year Adrienne Chase (Holden, Mass.). Reid (6-1) scattered five hits over seven strong innings, walking none and striking out seven. Ahearn (8-4) surrendered 12 hits over her seven innings of work. She walked none, fanned five and was charged with four earned runs.
In Game 2, it was the hosts who built the early advantage, getting one in the first on an RBI fielder’s choice by LaRosa; and two more in the third on a run-scoring double by sophomore Chelsey Munsey (Leominster, Mass.) and an RBI groundout by junior Mikaela Carney (North Reading, Mass.).
The Nor’easters got one back in the top of the fifth, as senior Ashley Gott (Winterport, Maine) was credited with an RBI on a misplayed grounder to third; then broke open the floodgates in the top of the seventh to score seven unearned runs. A series of fielding miscues set up the inning’s biggest hit, a three-run homer by LaRoche (3-for-4) to center field.
UNE also got multi-hit efforts from junior Erin Grover (Biddeford, Maine) and sophomore Amanda Vaudreuil (Windham, N.H.). The winning pitcher was senior Julie Bigelow (Montpelier, Vt.), who relieved Reid to start the third inning, and gave up five hits, two earned runs, and a walk over five innings. Bigelow improved to 4-2 on the season.
Munsey (3-2), the tough-luck losing pitcher, also turned in a three-hit effort. From the circle, she tossed 6 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, three walks and just one earned run while striking out two. Luquet and junior Valarie LaSala (Seaford, N.Y.) collected two hits apiece for the Colonels.
With the wins, UNE improved to 12-6 overall and 6-2 in CCC action. Curry saw its records fall to 16-10 overall and 5-5 in league play.
Both teams resume play on Tuesday, with the Nor’easters hosting Southern Maine in a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader, and the Colonels hosting Suffolk in a single 3:00 p.m. contest.