Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

HENNIKER, N.H.-  New England College defeated Thomas in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) softball double header Sunday afternoon, beating the Terriers 6-4 in game one and holding on for the 5-4 victory in game two.

With the wins the Pilgrims improve to 5-11 overall and 5-1 in NAC play. The losses drop the Terriers to 2-16 on the season and 1-5 in the NAC.

GAME ONE

Thomas would get on the board in the opening inning of play as Alyssa Eugley (Sidney, Maine) would leadoff the game with a double and come around to score thanks to a double off the bat of teammate Lauren Hachey (Oakland, Maine).

Thomas would extend their lead to 2-0 in the top half of the third as again Eugley would open the inning with a double to center and score on a single through the middle by Hachey.

The NEC bats would come alive in the fourth inning as the Pilgrims would plate five runs on five hits all with two outs.  The Pilgrims would load the bases and first-year outfielder Maranda Johnson (Huntsville, Utah) would come through with a single scoring the first run. NEC's Kiley Williams (Salem, Utah) and Taylor Belsito (Millbury, Mass.) would follow with back-to-back singles to clear the bases.

The Terriers would score single runs in the both the fifth and the sixth cutting the lead to 5-4 but NEC would gain an insurance run in the sixth and hold off a seventh inning threat from Thomas en route to the 6-4 victory.

Picking up the win on the mound for NEC was Olivia Stanley who pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs while striking out four.  NEC's Elizabeth Harrigan (Weston, Conn.) would pick up her first save of the season getting the final three outs of the game.

At the plate the Pilgrims were led by Taylor Belsito who finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs batted in.

Leading the Terriers at the plate was Eugley who doubled four times and scored three runs, while Hachey finished with two hits and three runs batted in.

GAME TWO

The Pilgrims who would open with the early 2-0 lead.  NEC's leadoff hitter Kiley Williams would open the game with a single and score on a Rebecca Allen (E. Patchogue, N.Y.) single, while Alyssa Krause  (Northfield, N.H.) who walked would come around to score on a wild pitch.

The Pilgrims would add two runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by a run scoring single off the bat of Taylor Belsito.

Thomas would break the scoring drought in the top half of the fifth as Janelle Ciomei (Stonington, Maine) would single in Alyssa Eugley who reach on a fielder's choice and Ashlee Quirrion (Jay, Maine) who singled.

NEC would get a run back in the fifth as senior Alyssa Hoot (Waterville, Ohio) would take the opening pitch over the right center field fence for a solo homerun.

Again, Thomas would battle in the seventh inning as Molly Woodward (Burlington, Maine) would open the inning with a single and pinch runner Kristen Hilton (Monmouth, Maine) would come around to score on a passed ball later in the inning cutting the lead to 5-4.  NEC would get the final out on a ground out to shortstop leaving one Terrier on base.

Elizabeth Harrigan picked up the complete game win on the mound allowing just two earned runs and striking out four. 

Leading the way for the Pilgrims in game two was Alyssa Hoot who was 2-for-4 at the plate.

Leading the way for the Terriers was Janelle Ciomei who finished game two 3-for-4 with three runs batted in.

Thomas will return to conference action on Tuesday as they travel up to Maine Maritime for a doubleheader.

Courtesy of New England College Sports Information Department