DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Backed by an extra innings hit from junior outfielder Olivia Ali, the UMass Dartmouth softball team posted a doubleheader split against Plymouth State University on Saturday in the Little East opener for both teams. The Corsairs are now 10-4 overall after winning game one, 3-2 in eight innings, while the Panthers move to 6-10 on the season with a 5-3 game two victory.
Game one action saw the Panthers open the scoring as shortstop Emily Bessette singled through the left side, driving in centerfielder Kenzie Bessette for a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first. A single up the middle by first baseman Abbey Nezuch saw the visitors open a 2-0 lead after one.
The score remained the same until the bottom of the fifth as a single to left by junior catcher Olivia Silva drove in left fielder Olivia Ali, narrowing the gap to 2-1. In the sixth, a sacrifice bunt by senior canterfielder Sydney Menz brought in another run to tie it at 2-all.
Both teams had their chances in the later innings, but into the extra frame, it was the Corsairs who came out on top as – with bases loaded and one out on the board – Ali singled to the pitcher, reaching as rookie first baseman Bre Fontes slid into home safely to win the game.
Ali was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while Talpey went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Silva also posted a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, bringing in an RBI. In the circle, sophomore Edy Crawford picked up the victory, going 8.0 innings with two runs allowed on eight hits. She also struck out six batters.
Game two saw the Corsairs open things up this time as rookie shortstop Chloe Edwards singled to left center with the bases loaded – driving in Talpey and Menz – for the 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the second.
Plymouth responded in the top of the fourth as right fielder Marisa Lizotte reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, bringing in a run for a 2-1 score. Edwards helped the Corsairs move the score to 3-1 in the bottom of the frame, sending a sacrifice fly to right as Talpey scored once again.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Panthers bats came alive with two on as Emily Bessette singled to center, bringing in a run for a 3-2 margin. Bessette was later caught stealing, but Kenzie Bessette came home from third to tie the game at 3-all. A home run to left field by left fielder Avery Couch pushed the visitors ahead, 4-3.
The sixth inning saw the Panthers add another run as Kenzie Bessette reached on a fielding error with pinch-runner, Kennah Wright-Chapman scoring to make it 5-3. UMass Dartmouth tried to battle back in the bottom of the seventh, getting a lead-off single by senior third baseman RaeLynn Perregaux, but PSU pitcher Allison Cecere force three straight fly outs by the home team to end the game.
Talpey was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Edwards went 1-for-2 with three runs batted in. Menz also had a hit with a run scored. Crawford shouldered the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits over 4.1 innings. She struck out one. Rookie Aubry Mabrouk came on in relief for 0.2 innings, allowing a walk, while junior Lily Routhier allowed one run on one hit over 2.0 innings of work.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Tuesday when they host the Judges of Brandeis University at home. Action begins at 2:30pm with game two of the doubleheader beginning around 4:30pm.
