MANCHESTER, N.H. – Pace Softball battled to a split in Sunday's Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) doubleheader at Saint Anselm College, falling 9-1 in six innings in game one before responding with a 10-9 victory in game two. The Setters moved to 23-25 overall and 13-19 in NE10 play, closing the four-game series with a split and winning six of their last eight contests.
Game One (6 innings)
Saint Anselm struck early in the opener, but the Setters answered in the second when
Nikki Chong was hit by a pitch, moved into scoring position on
Ava Edmond's single and scored on an RBI knock from
Kara King to tie the game at 1-1.
The Hawks pulled away with two runs in the second, two more in the third and added insurance the rest of the way. Pace threatened in the third after
Madison Picerno and
Katerina Luna drew walks, and again in the sixth with Luna and Edmond reaching base, but could not generate a late rally.
Kaylee Matsuda and Edmond each collected hits, while
Priscilla Del Toro started in the circle and
Alyssa Smart worked in relief.
Game Two
The Blue and Gold answered emphatically in the nightcap, erupting for eight runs over the first two innings to seize control.
Pace opened the scoring in the first when
Ashley Field singled and scored on
Madison Picerno's RBI single before
Addison Martinez added an RBI knock for a 2-0 lead.
The Setters broke the game open in the second.
Aubrey Carroll led off with a home run,
Willa Poplawski added an RBI single,
Riley Jenkins lifted a sacrifice fly, Picerno doubled home a run and Martinez launched a two-run homer as Pace built an 8-0 cushion.
Field added an RBI single in the third, and Carroll delivered another run-scoring hit in the fourth to make it 10-2.
Saint Anselm chipped away late, scoring seven runs over the final five innings and bringing the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but
Priscilla Del Toro entered in relief and recorded the final out to secure her first save of the season.
Field finished with three hits and two runs scored, Picerno went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, Martinez drove in three, and Carroll homered and finished with two RBIs. Poplawski added two hits as Pace totaled 13 hits in the win.
Nikki Chandler earned the victory after six innings in the circle.
The Setters return home Friday to open their final home series of the regular season, hosting Bentley University for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.
