WALTHAM, Mass. – The Pace University softball team dropped a pair of NE10 contests, falling 2-1 in nine innings in game one, then losing a 6-1 decision in game two at Bentley University in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 2.

Game One: Bentley 2, Pace 1 (9 innings)
Both pitchers were strong early, as neither team was able to get a run across in the first three innings. Junior pitcher Anna Acevedo (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall Academy) had another quality start for Pace (9-13, 3-3 NE10), retiring the first 10 batters she faced and allowing no earned runs on five hits in eight innings of work.

The Setters had chances early, getting runners on base in each of the first three innings, but couldn't push one across. The Falcons (16-8, 7-1 NE10) broke through in the bottom of the fourth, getting runners on the corners with two out. A Pace error allowed a run to come in, giving the home team the lead.

The Setters came back to tie it in the top of the sixth. With two out and nobody on, freshman first baseman Brianna Shea (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino) and junior third baseman Alexandra Tejeda (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar) hit back-to-back singles. Shea then came in to score on a Bentley error, tying the game at one.

The Falcons had a chance to take the lead back in the home half of the sixth, getting two runners on with one out. But Acevedo was able to work out of trouble, getting two big outs to keep the game tied.

The pitchers then once again became the story, with only two runners reaching base over the next two innings as the game went to extras.

After Pace went scoreless in the top of the ninth, two straight singles had Bentley in business. Sophomore pitcher Gisselle Garcia (Lemon Grove, Calif./Mater Dei Catholic), on in relief of Acevedo, recorded two straight outs, but an error brought the winning run in for the home team, giving them a 2-1 victory in game one.
 
Game Two: Bentley 6, Pace 1
The Setters were able to scratch a run across in the top of the first, getting a single from senior outfielder Gwen Pederson (Sylmar, Calif./Granada Hills Charter) with two out. She came in to score after Shea reached on an error, giving Pace a 1-0 lead.

However, the Falcons fired back with four runs in the home half of the first. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out, and Kaylee Mankins brought them all in with one swing, driving a three-run double to left field. Mankins then came in on a wild pitch, putting Bentley ahead 4-1.

The home team tacked on one more in the second, as a two-out triple by Jordan Krause scored the fifth run of the day for Bentley.

The Setters couldn't get the bats working against Dahlia Fink, who went all seven innings allowing the one run on just two hits. Pace had a few chances, leaving three runners stranded on base throughout the game, but wasn't able to capitalize.

Bentley added one more run in the bottom of the sixth, closing out game two with a 6-1 victory.

Up Next
Pace returns home on Wednesday, April 5, hosting Mercy College in a doubleheader. Game one is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.