BIDDEFORD, Maine – University of New England (7-7) edged Saint Joseph's College (2-10), 8-7, in a non-conference baseball contest on Friday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Trailing 8-1 in the top of the sixth, the Monks rallied with four runs off three hits and a UNE error in the sixth and tacked on a pair off three hits and another UNE miscue in the seventh, but the come-from-behind effort fell short with the tying run on first base.
Facing a 1-0 deficit in the top of the second, St. Joe's managed to tie the game when junior left fielder Madisyn Charest (Sydney, Maine) singled and later scored on a double off the bat of sophomore designated player Grace Chadbourne (Jaffrey, N.H.).
The 1-1 stalemate lasted until the bottom of the third, when the Nor'easters plated five runs on four hits and an SJC misplayed ball. UNE added two more runs in the fourth when Avery Alberghini (Moretown, Vt.) notched an RBI triple and scored on a groundout.
In the top of the sixth, two runs scored on a throwing error by the UNE third baseman, Chadbourne waltzed home when junior second baseman Libby Pomerleau (Limerick, Maine) worked a bases-loaded walk, and freshman third baseman Emily Jefferds (Scarborough, Maine) raced across the plate on a wild pitch.
In the seventh, senior first baseman Melodie Bailey (Lebanon, Maine) led off with a single and later scored on a Charest base hit and junior pinch hitter Kaylee Burns (Saco, Maine) delivered a two-out single to left.
IN THE CIRCLE:
Saint Joseph's junior starter Caitlyn King (Old Town, Maine) took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) off seven hits and two walks. Sophomore Madeline Wood (Madison, Maine) yielded two runs off five hits in two innings of relief and junior Kate Whitney (Jonesboro, Maine) gave up two hits and fanned one in an inning of work.
UNE freshman starter Kate Wilmot (Walpole, Mass.) picked up the victory and improves to 1-1 on the season after letting up one run on five hits over five solid frames. Reliever Alie Martell (Gray, Maine) allowed four unearned runs off three hits and three free passes in the sixth inning and Jordan Strum (Somersworth, N.H.) worked through a messy seventh inning – during which she allowed two runs off three hits while striking out two – to notch her second save of the season.
OFF THE BAT:
- Senior shortstop Meghan Elliott (Mendon, Mass.) was 3-3 with a double
- Charest went 3-4 with three runs and an RBI
- Jefferds added two hits and a run in three at-bats
- For UNE, Caroline Schoenbucher (Barrington, N.H.) was 3-3 with three runs while Alberghini and Meg Harvey (Westmoreland, N.H.) registered two hits apiece
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's is back on the diamond on Wednesday when the team travels to Bates College for a non-conference doubleheader starting at 3:00 PM.