THE OWL WAY OR THE HIGHWAY: GAME ONE
The Keene State softball team took on the University of Massachusetts – Boston Beacons in a doubleheader that had them fighting for 21 innings, or nearly six hours, of gameplay.
The Owls had their work cut out for them in this Little East Conference (LEC) opener. The first of the two games saw Keene State taking the lead in the third inning with a score of 3-0, but the Beacons weren’t going to let that slide. The Beacons came back at the Owls, scoring two points in the first half of the fourth inning, and sealing a tie of 3-3 in the sixth inning.
While the Beacons were itching to increase their score, the Owls put up a fight. Bases were loaded with Beacons players, but sophomore Lilah Demmy struck out Beacons starter Bri Melchionda to keep the score 3-3. UMass once again had their bases loaded in the ninth inning, but this time sophomore Carissa Miller helped the Owls keep the game tied by getting Beacons player Jordan Toomey out. After three full innings of zero scoring, the Beacons decided to take control. They scored three times in the tenth inning, but their lead against the Owls didn’t last long.
According to the athletic department website, sophomore Molly Murray laid down a bunt single to put two on right away, and senior Sara Cote followed with a two-run double to make it a 6-5 game. Senior Grace Hallett’s ground ball to first brought the Owls up to tie with the Beacons 6-6, and the game went into its eleventh inning.
Miller, who was placed on second base to begin the inning, left all her energy out on the field as she ran to home plate and avoided a tag out by the Beacons to secure the victory for the Owls, 7-6.
THE BEACONS FIGHT BACK: GAME TWO
After a gut-wrenching first game, the Owls and the Beacons came back onto the field for more. The bottom of the first inning saw the Owls take the lead, with Cote flying a ball down center field, allowing Murray to score the first point for the Owls. Spectators witnessed the Owls secure their lead after the first inning with a score of 3-1, but they then began to trail, with the Beacons taking the lead 5-4 in the seventh inning. However, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Beacons player Lauren Miner had a chance to extend the lead, but sophomore Allison Adams came through and tied the game 5-5.
The tenth and final inning saw the Owls and the Beacons fighting for victory. Ultimately, the Beacons secured the lead when Kaitlyn Sawyer hit a double to center field, leaving Miner to secure their sixth and final score of the game that evening.
According to the athletic department website, the Owls have won three of four games on their home turf against the Beacons, and 25 of 28 all-time. The Owls lead the all-time series 42-10.
Piper Pavelich can be contacted at
ppavelich@kscequinox.com
