BIDDEFORD, Maine – The Endicott softball team traveled to the University of New England on Sunday afternoon for a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) matchup. The Gulls defeated the Nor'easters in both games in the doubleheader, completing game one with a 6-2 victory and finishing off game two with a 9-0 final score.
Endicott continues their success in the conference as they improve to 17-6-1 (9-1 CCC) while U. New England falls to 20-12 (10-6). On the day senior Alex Moise (North Reading, Mass.) led with three ribbies in the first game while game two saw three Gulls with two RBIs each, highlighted by a two-run homerun by sophomore Sam DiBella (Danvers, Mass.).
Game One: Endicott 6, University of New England 2
In game one senior pitcher Nell O'Connor paved her way to an 8-1 overall record in the circle as she hurled all seven innings for the Blue and Green while allowing just four hits on 30 batters faced.
Endicott started the scoring early in the top of the first as DiBella singled to left center with senior Jesse Bilafer (Concord, Mass.) on second to bring her home for the 1-0 lead. After a 1-2-3 inning by O'Connor the Gulls went on to score four more runs in the top of the second. The first came from sophomore Emily Hoffman (Malden, Mass.) who reached home on a fielding error by the Nor'easters.
With bases loaded and two outs, Moise singled to centerfield allowing all runners to reach home plate to take the 5-0 lead to finish the top of the second. O'Connor pitcher her second straight 1-2-3 inning and held U. New England scoreless until the bottom of the fourth as sophomore Amanda Vallante (Dracut, Mass.) reached home off a ground out by junior Adrienne Chase (Holden, Mass.).
In the top of the fifth, Hoffman singled through the left side with Moise on second as she was able to round the bases on the hit to earn the last run of the game for the Gulls. The Nor'easters recorded one more run in the bottom of the sixth by Vallante but it was not enough as the Blue and Green solidified the victory.
Game Two: Endicott 9, University of New England 0
In game two Bilafer was a force at the plate as the tri-captain earned two RBIs, a double and a triple. Sophomore pitcher Courtney Blake (East Islip, N.Y.) (5-0) controlled the circle for the Gulls as she pitched all seven innings for Endicott in the shutout victory, while earning three strikeouts and allowing just six hits on 28 batters faced.
The Blue and Green posted three runs in the first, one in both the third and fourth while finishing off the day with four runs in the seventh. To start off in the top of the first Hoffman tripled to right center with senior Kelley Michael (Ipswich, Mass.) and Moise in scoring position to take the 2-0 lead. Freshman Rachel Couto (Chelmsford, Mass.) then doubled to left center to bring Hoffman home ending the inning on top 3-0.
After two scoreless innings, freshman Chrissy Gikas (Danvers, Mass.) singled to the shortstop to bring DiBella around the bases. The top of the seventh showed a strong Gulls squad who earned four runs. The first came from Gikas as she took advantage of a wild pitch and reached home. With sophomore Jess Linden (Stratford, Conn.) on third Bilafer sacrificed to centerfield to bring her home.
For the last two runs of the game, DiBella cranked her third homerun of the season with Moise on base to secure the 9-0 victory.
Endicott will see action next on Tuesday, April 15th as they travel to non-conference foe Babson for a 3/5PM doubleheader.
