MANCHESTER, NH- The Setters scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth as they defeated the Saint Anselm Hawks 3-2 in the Northeast-10 Championship Second Round. Pace improves to 25-14, while the Hawks fall to 22-12. The Setters advance to only their second NE-10 Championship Semifinals since joining the NE-10 in 1997 where they will face host and NE top seed Southern New Hampshire on Friday at 2 pm.
 
The Setters, ranked #8 this week's NCAA East Region poll, got on the board in the opening inning as Shelby Yung drew a lead-off walk and scored on a Larissa Labs triple. Jeane Drury reached on an error to put runners on first and third. The Setters pulled off the delayed double steal to get their second run as Labs plated the second run of the game.
 
The Hawks, ranked #7 in this week's region poll, got a run back in the second and a solo homerun in the sixth tied the game at 2-2. The Setters rallied in their half of the sixth as Hana Wright led off with a double. Pinch hitter Haley Hernandez attempted a sacrifice bunt but an errant throw to third allowed pinch runner Joyce LaBonte to reach safely. Natalie Gellos hit a sacrifice fly to score LaBonte with the go-ahead run.
 
Starter Caitlin McCann scattered six hits but Kaitlynn Nelson came on in the seventh after the first batter reached first. Nelson retired the first two batters on a sacrifice bunt and fly out but a single put the tying run a third base. Nelson earned her second save of the season as she struck out the next batter to end the game. McCann (11-4) turned in an outstanding performance, allowing only two runs on six hits, while striking out one to help the Setters advance to their first semifinals since 2003 when they lost in the championship game.
 
The Setters move on to the Northeast-10 Championship Semifinals where they will face the Northeast Division #1 seed and host Southern New Hampshire at 2 pm.