Vikings and Pilgrims Split Twinbill

SALEM, Mass. – Dawn Eisnor's (Medford, Mass.) single in the bottom of the ninth scored Sydney Chiasson (Hudson, Mass.) from second base, propelling Salem State to an 8-7 come-from-behind victory in extra innings over New England College in the first game of their scheduled doubleheader on Monday at Alumni Field. Emily Farone (Sandown, N.H.) went the distance in game two, allowing two runs on eight hits as the Pilgrims edged the Vikings 3-2 in the nightcap. Farone struckout six and walked one to earn the victory. Salem State now stands at 2-14 on the season while New England College goes to 6-8. 

Game One

A base hit to right by Emily Carter (Warwick, R.I.) and throwing error by the rightfielder gave Salem State a 2-0 lead in the first. Starting pitcher Carter shutout the Pilgrims' offense over the first four innings. However, New England College, scored five runs on four hits and an error in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. A Taylor Maher (Piscataway, N.J.) single up the middle scored the first run. Daelyn Ross (Freeport, N.Y) added a sacrifice fly before Emily Nelson (Londonderry, N.H.) hit a two-run single, making the score 4-2 in favor of the Pilgrims. Naomi Medrano (Escondido, calif.) capped the inning with an RBI double to left center, scoring Nelson with the fifth run. 

The Vikings battled back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three times. A one-out single by Chiasson scored Gracie Hogan (Blackstone, Mass.) from third. Eisnor followed with a two-run single to right, tying the game at 5-all.

Carter worked out of trouble in the sixth as New England College put runners on second and third with no outs, but three straight groundouts kept the game tied heading into the seventh.

Hogan replaced Carter in the seventh as Carter went six innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

New England College left the bases loaded in the seventh and the Vikings had the go-ahead run on third with one out, but pitcher Olivia Olson (North Haven, Conn.) worked out of trouble, forcing extra-innings.

A two-run double by Daelyn Ross (Freeport, N.Y.) gave the Pilgrims a 7-5 lead in the eighth, but once again Salem State battled back. An Emily Henning (Grafton, Mass.) double that just missed clearing the fence scored Isabella Perrotti from second. Hogan's grounder to third was mishandled by the third baseman allowing the tying run to score and the two teams headed to the ninth.

Hogan allowed one hit in the top of the ninth before retiring the side, setting up Eisnor's game-winning hit through the left side.

Hogan earned the win in three innings of relief, allowing two runs – one earned on four hits. Olson took the loss, giving up eight runs – four earned on 10 hits with five walks and two strikeouts.

Eisnor went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI for the Vikings. Ross had a hit and three RBI for the Pilgrims.

Game Two

Eisnor gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead in the 1^st, but Farone kept the Vikings off the scoreboard over the next five innings.  A Lindsey Bayes (Bowie, Md.) double in the third and a two-run single by Destiny Cardona (Gardena, Calif.) accounted for all of New England College's runs.

Salem State drew to within 3-2 in the seventh on a lead-off double by Henning and RBI groundout by Carter. However, a double play ended the threat as the Pilgrims hung on for the one-run victory.

Hogan took the loss, going six innings and allowing three runs – two earned on five hits. Carter pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Henning went-2-for-2 for the Vikings with a double and run scored. Cardona was 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Pilgrims.