Softball splits with UNE in first CCC doubleheader of 2015

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BIDDEFORD, Maine - The University of New England and Roger Williams University each captured one contest in Sunday's Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball doubleheader at Claude Dubois Field, as RWU won game one in eight innings, 6-3, and UNE logged a 12-5 decision in game two.

The Nor'easters (7-7, 3-1 CCC) answered a five-run Roger Williams 3rd with five scores of their own in the last half of the inning to go up 6-5 in the nightcap, and pulled away with a pair of runs in each of the next three frames.

The Hawks (5-6, 1-1 CCC) never trailed in the opener, and after conceding the a game-tying run to the hosts in the bottom of the 7th, scored three times in the extra stanza to get the victory.

A bases-loaded single off the pitcher by Mollie Bartles in the 2nd inning of GAME TWO put UNE ahead, but five hits couple with two errors in the RWU 3rd made it 5-1. Haley Ledbetter and Alicia McCauley each recorded two-RBI singles to help push the Hawks in front.

Big Blue made the most of three hits, two walks, and an error in its portion of the 3rd, as Kelly Murphy started the Nor'easters back with an RBI-single and both Meghan Bolano and Bartles followed with two-RBI doubles to the outfield gaps.

Katelyn Austin, who was tagged with just two earned runs from the UNE circle, retired 12 of the last 15 batters she faced, and none of the other three advanced past first base. She finished with five strike outs to even her record at 3-3.

Adrienne Chase padded the lead (7-5) with an RBI-double in the 4th and Bartles capped a 4-for-4 performance with a fourth run batted in during the 6th and the Nor'easters extended to the final margin.

Murphy added three hits and scored twice for UNE, while Bolano had a pair of hits and two RBI. Amanda Vallante and Cat Ouellette each crossed the plate two times.

Ledbetter and Mikaela Grosso had two hits apiece for Roger Williams. Tori Milano took the loss in a little more than two innings of work.

Five Hawks tallied two hits in GAME ONE, including Grosso, Ledbetter, Taylor Messier, Meredith Moise, and Chelsea Boulrisse. Gross gave RWU the lead in the top of the 3rd on a two-RBI double to left-center. Messier scored her first of two runs on the play.

UNE got runs back in the 3rd and 4th innings, courtesy of run-scoring hits by Vallante and Bolano.

Roger Williams went up, 3-2, in the 5th, but a lead-off single to the shortstop by Sydney Helmbrecht and a sacrifice bunt set the stage for a Vallante RBI-double to right-center that tied things up for the Nor'easters.

The Hawks regained the advantage for good in the top of the 8th when Julianne Vesce put a pinch-hit, one-out single into left to plate one. Ledbetter later scored on a wild pitch and Moise notched an RBI-single to establish the three-run margin.

Meghan Maliga shut down Big Blue in its last at-bat, finishing up the complete-game win to move to 3-2 on the year.

For UNE, Vallante led the way with three hits, while Helmbrecht and Murphy each added two. Sara Pelkey got a no-decision in seven innings of work in the circle, surrendering two earned runs. Abby Lambert was charged with the setback.

The Nor'easters did not allow a free pass to the Hawks all day.

UNE hosts Colby College for a non-league game on Wednesday (4:30 p.m.), while Roger Williams visits Salve Regina University (2-0 CCC) the same afternoon.

- Release courtesy of the University of New England Sports Information Department

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Players Mentioned

#5 Chelsea Boulrisse: OF; 5' 2"; Junior; L/R

#10 Mikaela Grosso: C; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#11 Meghan Maliga: P; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#3 Alicia McCauley: OF; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#2 Taylor Messier: OF; 5' 5"; Junior; L/R

#20 Tori Milano: P; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#4 Meredith Moise: INF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#22 Julianne Vesce: INF; 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R

#23 Haley Ledbetter: INF; 5' 7"; Freshman; L/R

Players Mentioned

#5 Chelsea Boulrisse
: 5' 2"; Junior; L/R
: OF

#10 Mikaela Grosso
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: C

#11 Meghan Maliga
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: P

#3 Alicia McCauley
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#2 Taylor Messier
: 5' 5"; Junior; L/R
: OF

#20 Tori Milano
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: P

#4 Meredith Moise
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#22 Julianne Vesce
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#23 Haley Ledbetter
: 5' 7"; Freshman; L/R
: INF