Softball loses two close games to SNHU

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College softball team was swept, 2-1 and 6-5, by Southern New Hampshire University in a nonconference doubleheader on Wednesday, March 30.

FAST FACTS:
Final Scores: SNHU 2, AIC 1; SNHU 6, AIC 5
Records: The Penmen rise to 8-12, while the Yellow Jackets drop to 2-14
Location: Judy Groff Field, Springfield, Massachusetts

KEY STATS:
SNHU:
Game 1:
Abi Gray: 1-for-2, one RBI
Alyssa Dimauro: One walk, one run, one stolen base
Leine McKechnie: Win (2-2), 7.0 IP, one run, five hits, three strikeouts

Game 2:
Chloe Griffin: 1-for-4, one home run, two RBI
Abi Gray: 1-for-4, two RBI
Bryn Garczynski: 2-for-3, one triple, one run
Gwyn Hammond: Win (5-3), 6.0 IP, three runs, eight hits

AIC:
Game 1:
Kodi Gora: 2-for-3, one double, one RBI
Trinadey Santiago: 1-for-3, one double
Isabella Erti: Loss (1-6), 7.0 IP, two runs, five hits, three strikeouts

Game 2:
Destiny McGrath: 2-for-3, one double, three RBI
Mackenzie Berman: 3-for-3, one double, one RBI
Victoria Andrade: 1-for-1, two walks, one run, one RBI
Alexis Jimenez: Loss (1-3), 4.2 IP, four runs (one earned), five hits

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The offenses scuffled early on as Leine McKechnie and Isabella Erti held their opposition to just three hits through the first three innings.
• AIC broke through in the fourth with a leadoff walk by Mackenzie Berman. Though Berman was erased on a fielder's choice, Alexis Jimenez beat out the throw to prevent a double play, and two batters later, Kodi Gora drove her in with a double down the left field line to give AIC a 1-0 lead.
• The Penmen responded in the next half inning as Emily Carbonneau singled through the left side and Brittany Mota laid down a bunt that everyone reached on. A flyout advanced both runners, and a sacrifice bunt allowed pinch-runner Ari Ferrier to slide over home plate.
• One inning later, the Penmen did it again. Alyssa Dimauro walked and stole second. Two batters later, she advanced to third on a single by Shannon Gifford, and then scored on a sacrifice bunt by Bella Dickinson.
• Trinadey Santiago drove a double off the wall in the seventh to get into scoring position, but she was stranded there as Mckechnie finished the complete-game win for the Penmen.
• In game two, AIC started the first with back-to-back walks for Destiny McGrath and Berman but could not bring the runners home. The second went the same way, but this time McGrath's bat was involved and she drove Abigail Wells and Victoria Andrade home with a line-shot double to left.
• The Penmen again responded quickly, as Chloe Griffin stroked a two-run shot three batters into the third. They then loaded the bases on three straight walks, but Alexis Jimenez moved from right field to the circle and slammed the door on the Penmen by inducing a popout and groundout.
• In the home half of the third, the catcher connection struck for AIC as Santiago hit a two-out double and took third on a wild pitch, and Andrade brought her home with a grounder through the right side.
• Bryn Garczynski had another answer for the Penmen with a one-out triple, and she scored the tying run on a groundout to short, leading the game 3-3 after four.
• A pair of errors in the fifth allowed the Penmen to take the lead as the team loaded the bases. Abi Gray hit a two-run single, and Autumn Stevens hit a sacrifice fly as the Penmen took a 6-3 advantage.
• AIC pushed on the comeback trail in the sixth. Andrade led off with a walk and was lifted for Mia Alicea to pinch-run. Lilly Acampora tried to bunt her over, but after taking two strikes, she slapped a single down the left field line to reach safely. Two batters later, McGrath singled Alicea in, and Berman followed with a base hit to score Acampora. Jimenez hit a rocket down the line, but Gifford snared it and turned a double play by getting McGrath at third throwing to first to get Jimenez.
• AIC did not find a hit in the seventh, and the Penmen earned the sweep with the 6-5 win.

NEXT UP:

• The Yellow Jackets are back in action at Judy Groff field this Saturday, April 2, as Assumption University comes to town for a doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.