Casey went 4-for-7 with two RBI and the game-winning hit in game one
Theilgard went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and three doubles in the two games matching last year's total of nine (PHOTO BY: SportsPix) |
HOOKSETT, New Hampshire (April 18, 2019) – The Stonehill College softball team defeated No. 13 Southern New Hampshire University, 5-3, and then fell 3-0 in a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader on Thursday afternoon at SNHU Softball Field.
With the split, Stonehill is now 14-20 overall and 10-12 in NE10 play, while Southern N.H. is now to 33-9 overall and 17-4 in Conference play. This is the second-straight year that the Skyhawks have taken at least one game from the Penmen when they were ranked. Last year they took two out of the three games against No. 21 Southern N.H.
Game 1: Stonehill 5 – Southern N.H. 3
Both teams were unable to get a run across in the first two innings, as the Penmen saw Emily Critch lift a ball high over the left field fence for a two-run homerun after Erin Tyrrell reached on a fielding error for a 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the third.
In the top of the fifth, Stonehill put two on base from Katherine Rayner's single and Michelle Theilgard's double to left field. With two outs, Julia Hartman drove in both runners to tie the game, 2-2 as the Penmen were able to retire the side with a pop up to end the inning.
Southern N.H. took back the lead immediately in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out double to center field from Jordan Wade to score Abby Latham for a one-run advantage, 3-2. The Penmen reacted once more in the bottom of the sixth but the Skyhawks kept the runners from scoring home as Southern N.H. stranded two on base.
In the top of the seventh with one out, Stonehill saw the bases loaded for the first time all game and Sophie Perez's fielder's choice tied the game once again, 3-3, as all runners were safe to get the bases loaded again. Carly Rennie reached on her own fielder's choice to the pitcher, but Genna Hartman was thrown out at home for the second out. Caroline Casey then tallied her second hit of the game sending the ball to right field for a two-run game-winning hit, 5-3. Rayner got the first two Penmen to fly out and ground out stranding Wade on base for the final out and her 13th win of the season.
Game 2: Stonehill 0 – Southern N.H. 3
Rayner threw her 16th complete game of her career for her 13th win (PHOTO BY: SportsPix) |
The Penmen saw the first three batters tally hits to put a run on the board for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. With runners on second and third Shay Sauvageau recorded a RBI on a ground out to second base for the second run, as Jackie Gavin connected for a bunt single scoring a third run for the Penmen for a 3-0 advantage.
Stonehill put a runner on in each of the seven innings as Casey went 2-for-3 for the Skyhawks and Theilgard, Perez, and Julia Perrone each recorded a hit in the game for a total of five hits.
The Skyhawks' defense stayed strong through the rest of the game, as the Penmen were able to reach third but were halted as Stonehill kept them from scoring each time including the bottom of the fifth when two runners were left on base holding on for their 16th shutout of the season.
Stonehill will travel to Hooksett, New Hampshire for the third game of the series on Monday, April 22 with a start time of 1:30 p.m. On Friday, April 26 Stonehill will host Franklin Pierce University for a doubleheader for their Strikeout Cancer Game. If you would like to donate click here.
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