Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 CLERMONT, Fla. – Freshman hurler Erika Millet (Whitefield, N.H./White Mountains Regional) and sophomore Desiree Benner (Friendship, Maine/Medomak Valley) each turned in strong pitching performances to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a pair of wins in their second day of competition in Clermont, Fla.
In an outstanding performance, Millet fired three-hitter to earn her first collegiate victory leading the Huskies to a 2-1 win over the Wesleyan University (Conn.) Cardinals in the first game of the day. Benner, making her first start of the season, earned her first win of the year holding the Franciscan College Barons to just two hits and no runs in a 13-0 five-inning game.
With the two wins, Southern Maine improves its record to 3-1. Wesleyan fell to 1-2 with the loss to the Huskies, while Franciscan remained winless at 0-5.
In the opener, USM took a 1-0 lead after a scoreless first inning. Junior Jen Lynch (Portland, Maine/Deering) drove in her first run of the season with a double, scoring sophomore Amanda Hendrickson-Belloguet who had reached on an error.
The Cardinals evened the score up in the bottom of the third. Back to back singles from Isabel Linzer and Mollie Grunat set the table for the Cardinals, who scored their game-tying run on an RBI ground out from Amanda Roosa.
Both teams turned in a scoreless fourth inning and the Huskies scored the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth. Singles from Lynch and junior Mary Caron (Lewiston, Maine/St. Dominic's) sandwiched a pop out, making it first and third with one down for USM. Cardinal hurler Julie McDonald got the second out of the inning on a fly out to freshman Courtney Davis (Woburn, Mass.), before USM senior Kristen Duross came through in the clutch with a two-out RBI single to score Lynch, giving the Huskies a 2-1 lead.
Millet worked her way around a lead off walk in the bottom of the inning to preserve her team's lead, while McDonald kept her team within a run despite giving up a lead off single and a double in the top of the sixth.
With the Huskies' unable to add an insurance run, Millet continued her strong effort in the circle retiring the Cardinals in order in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings for the win.
In the second game, USM pounded out 12 hits and took advantage of four Franciscan errors to earn the 13-0 five-inning win. Benner allowed just two hits and gave up three walks over five innings of work while striking out three to earn the victory. Davis led the Huskies offensively with a 2-for-2 effort at the plate, including three RBI and her second home run of the season. Duross and Ally Pillar (Hollis, Maine/Bonny Eagle) each had two RBI for USM.
Southern Maine returns to action on Friday in a pair of games. The Huskies will face Gordon College at 9:00 a.m. and then take on Becker College at 11:00 a.m.
Southern Maine (2-1) 010 010 0 2-7-1
Wesleyan (1-2) 001 000 0 1-3-2
Battery: SM, Erika Millet and Courtney Davis W, Julie McDonald and Mollie Grunat
WP: SM, Millet (1-1) LP: W, McDonald
2B: SM, Mary Caron, Amanda Hendrickson, Jen Lynch
RBI: SM, Kristen Duross, Lynch W, Amanda Roosa
Repeat Hitters: SM, Caron, Lynch
Franciscan (0-5) 000 00 0-2-4
Southern Maine (3-1) (10)20 1x 13-12-1
Battery: SM, Desiree Benner and Sam DiBiase, Becca Howell (4) F, Jordan Cunningham and Hailey Wesselman
WP: SM, Benner (1-0) LP: F, Cunningham
2B: SM, Chantal Bisson, Caron, Duross, Amber Kelly, Hendrickson
HR: SM, Davis
RBI: SM, Davis 3, Duross 2, Ally Pillar 2, Kelly, Lynch
Repeat Hitters: SM, Davis
–cac–
