Softball Offense Shut Down By Southern Maine - Keene State College (2024)

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Game Recap: Softball | 4/16/2024 11:21:00 PM | Ryan Hearn, Sports Information Assistant

Owls Fall 8-2, 8-0 (5 innings) in Conference Doubleheader

KEENE, N.H. – The Keene State College softball team left 14 on base in the first game and then could not get their offense going in the second as they were swept by LEC opponent University of Southern Maine 8-2 and 8-0 (5 innings) in a doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the Owl Athletic Complex.

Records

• Keene State: 4-19, 0-7 LEC
• Southern Maine: 16-4, 5-1 LEC

How It Happened
Both teams finished with 10 hits in the opener, but the Huskies scored four in the first and three more in the third to build a 7-0 advantage, and that proved to be more than enough for Belle Snyder and Abby Lee (1-0) in the circle, who combined for nine strikeouts and two runs allowed. KSC was not without chances, including loading the bases in the first when Liv Whittier doubled ahead of walks to Grace Wallace and Allison Adams, but an infield popup prevented the Owls from chipping into USM's early lead. KSC had another chance in the third and this time capitalized, as a walk to Elyse Picard and consecutive singles from Whittier and Wallace later led to a two-run single to right center by Abbie Monkevicz. The Owls had two in scoring position and a chance for more down 7-2, but Lee came in and notched a pair of strikeouts.

Southern Maine got one of the runs right back in the top of the fourth thanks to a miscue, as Madi Day's two-out double ended up resulting in a run after Kendall Migliorini's grounder to third could not be fielded cleanly.

KSC had another big chance in the fourth to get back in the game, as base hits from Molly Murray and Whittier along with a walk to Picard between loaded the bases with one out, but Lee whiffed the final two batters of the inning again to keep it 8-2. The Owls left nine on base over the opening four innings, and then again stranded three in the sixth after they loaded the bases with two down. The home team began the seventh with a base hit for Monkevicz and a bunt single by Emma Chenette, but the next three were sent down in order and left the Owls still searching for their first conference win.

That win would not come in the second contest, either, as USM again jumped out in front quickly (3-0 in the second) and piled on five more in the fourth in support of Lexus McIntosh (8-2), who threw a five-inning no-hitter with seven strikeouts including the side in the second inning. KSC's only baserunner came when Whitter reached on an error by McIntosh with two outs in the fourth. She moved into scoring position on a passed ball, but Wallace fanned to end the inning.

Southern Maine's initial two runs of the game came with two down in the first on a two-run single by Day, and their third run came on a ground out that turned into a double play in the second. Up 3-0, the Huskies put the game away with their five-run fourth that was exacerbated by two errors and two walks. The big blow of the frame came off the bat of A. Miner, who hit a towering blast to left that made it 7-0. Rona Scott added an RBI single two days later.

Chenette (0-3) started and took the loss for KSC, allowing three hits and three runs over three innings. She walked three.

On the day, USM finished with 16 runs and 17 hits to remain toward the top of the LEC pack.

Keene State lost for the 11th and 12th times in the last 13 meetings with the Huskies, a series that is now 37-33 after the Owls once led it 37-23.

The Owls are right back at it tomorrow for a non-conference doubleheader against Smith College (13-8-1) that begins at 3:00 p.m.