SB: McGrath, Antrim pitch Panthers to sweep of Southern Maine - Plymouth State University (2024)

GORHAM, Maine – Junior Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) and sophom*ore Emily Antrim (Limerick, Maine) threw complete games to help Plymouth State University sweep the University of Southern Maine in a Little East Conference (LEC) softball double header at USM Softball Stadium on Tuesday.

Antrim was stuck in a tight game in the opener as the score was tied at 3-3 heading to the late innings. Sophom*ore Kenzie Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) drove in sister Emily Bessette (Cranston, R.I.) with the go-ahead run in the sixth and the Panthers exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh – all with two outs – to take the opener, 11-4.

McGrath was outstanding in game two, allowing just four hits in the contest. Freshman Avery Couch (Fort Worth, Texas) gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the third and K. Bessette doubled in another run later in the inning and McGrath made the lead hold. The Huskies got one back in the fifth, but McGrath retired seven of the last eight hitters, with the only baserunner coming on a two-out error in the sixth, to secure the win.

Plymouth State jumps to 11-17 (3-7 LEC), while the Huskies go to 19-9 (5-5 LEC).

The Basics:

• GAME ONE: Plymouth State 11, Southern Maine 4
• GAME TWO: Plymouth State 2, Southern Maine 1
  • Plymouth State (11-17, 3-7 LEC)
  • Southern Maine (19-9, 5-5 LEC)

How it Happened (Game One):

• Plymouth State grabbed an early lead when K. Bessette reached on a two out error and junior Mia Ly (Lowell, Mass.) drove her in.
• USM bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the frame to go ahead, 2-1.
• K. Bessette singled and stole second to start the third and junior Jade Guertin (Oakland, R.I.) smacked a two-out double to tie the game at 2-2.
• E. Bessette walked to open the fourth. She moved up on a bunt and came home on a wild pitch as the Panthers went up 3-2, but USM answered right back in the bottom half to retie the game.
• E. Bessette ripped a leadoff double in the sixth and K. Bessette followed with a one-out double to put PSU in front for good.
• The Panthers put the game out of reach in the seventh. USM got a pair of quick outs, but walks to junior Kaity Montelongo (South Paris, Maine) and Abby Kenison (Boscawen, N.H.) extended the inning. E. Bessette singled in a run and Couch made it 6-3 with a base hit. A Huskies' error allowed another run to score and opened the floodgates. Ly followed with a run-scoring hit and a walk loaded the bases. Guertin drove in two and Montelongo's single pushed the lead to 11-3.
• Southern Maine scored once in the bottom of the frame to account for the final score.

By the Numbers (Game One):

• E. Bessette reached base four times with a single, double and two walks in three official at bats. She scored three times and drove in a run.
• K. Bessette went 2-for-5 with a double and three runs scored, while Ly was 2-for-5 with two RBI.
• Guertin singled and doubled in five at bats while driving in three.
• Montelongo walked three times and added a single.
• Antrim struck out four and scattered nine hits. Only three of her four runs allowed were earned.

How it Happened (Game Two):

• Hits were hard to come by in game two. USM had a leadoff single in the bottom of the first, but McGrath retired the next seven straight batters.
• Freshman Kiera Larson (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) had the Panthers' first hit, a one-out single in the third, and Montelongo and E. Bessette walked to load the bases. Couch delivered a sacrifice fly and K. Bessette followed with an RBI double for a 2-0 lead. Ly walked to load the bases, but USM got out of the jam.
• A single and sac bunt gave Southern Maine a runner in scoring position with two away in the bottom of the inning, but Couch snared a line drive for the third out.
• The hosts best chance came in the fifth inning when a single and walk put two runners on with one down. A fielder's choice resulted in runners at the corners and a single cut the lead to 2-1, but McGrath induced a fly ball to center to end the threat.
• The Huskies put a runner on with two outs in the sixth on a throwing error, but McGrath quickly recorded the final out and then retired the side in order in the seventh.

By the Numbers (Game Two):

• McGrath allowed just four hits and a walk in the complete game win.
• K. Bessette went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and also reached on an error.
• Larson had the Panthers' only other hit.
• E. Bessette, Ly and Montelongo all drew walks.
• Southern Maine had won each of the last nine meetings. PSU's last sweep of the Huskies came in the 2015 season.

Up Next:

• The Panthers head to Fitchburg State for a non-conference twin bill on Thursday (Apr. 25).

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