LEICESTER, Mass. – The Hawks were in position to sweep Thursday's doubleheader away from the AMCATS but some late-game heroics in game two salvage the doubleheader for Anna Maria as the two teams split the two-game set from Russell Field.
THE BASICS
March 25, 2021
Russell Field
Becker Hawks 4-4
Anna Maria AMCATS 3-3
GAME ONE: Becker 7 – Anna Maria 4
After two scoreless innings to start game one, the Hawks found success in the bottom of the third, jumping out to a 3-0 lead.
The Hawks loaded the bases with the first three batters and managed to go ahead 1-0 on a bases-loaded walk of freshman Jilliana Stevens (Farmington, N.H.). Back-to-back fielder's choices would assist the Hawks in moving forward to lead 3-0.
The AMCATS responded with a run in the fourth on an RBI single by sophomore Kyleigh Campbell (Merrimack, Mass.).
Becker would add some much-needed insurance in the bottom of the sixth, posting four runs in the inning to hold a 7-1 lead.
That insurance proved vital with Anna Maria coming back in the top of the seventh to score three times to trail 7-4. The AMCATS had the tying run on first base but a bases-loaded pop out to first Hawks freshman Sheree Fallon (Danvers, Mass.) ended the game with Becker taking the win.
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For Becker, junior Ashley Veillette (Danielson, Conn.) batted 3-for-4, including a double and two runs scored. Senior Sarah Ellis (Berkeley, Mass.) was 2-for-4, also with two runs scored.
For Anna Maria, freshman Eden Forget (Worcester, Mass.) finished 3-for-4 with a triple and one RBI. Campbell and sophomore Kendall McNamee (Somers, Conn.) both had two hits.
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Veillette (2-2)
Losing Pitcher: Kaitlyn Snyder (0-2)
GAME TWO: Anna Maria 12 – Becker 9 (Final/5 Innings)
The Hawks were poised for a sweep of the doubleheader, having put nine runs on the board in the first two innings to lead 9-2.
After the AMCATS jumped out to a 2-0 lead, the Hawks put up five runs in the bottom of the second, scoring all their runs with two outs.
Junior Skyler Tenney (Jaffrey, N.H.) started the rally with an RBI double while an Anna Maria error later in the inning tied the game 2-2.
Veillette stepped in with two runners on and hit her team-leading third home run of the season, a shot to center field that gave Becker a 5-2 lead.
Four more runs in the bottom of the third would put the Hawks in front 9-3 as they looked in control of game two until the top of the fifth.
As the Hawks did their damage with two outs in the second, the AMCATS would get their redemption in the fifth, scoring all nine runs with two outs in the inning.
Campbell with an RBI single made it 9-4 while a two-run double in the next at-bat by senior Michelle Cilley (Dracut, Mass.) cut the deficit to 9-6.
Another single got the AMCATS within two but the nail in the coffin was a three-run home run to center field by junior Shay Savoie (Namao, Alberta, Canada) take gave Anna Maria a 10-9 edge.
The scoring was not done as junior Ashley Garcia (Cornwall, Conn.) added her own home run, a two-run shot to left field which put the AMCATS ahead 12-9.
In the bottom of the inning, the Hawks were retired quickly as darkness called a stop to the game as the doubleheader was split and the AMCATS won 12-9.
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For Anna Maria, Savoie batted 3-for-4, including two home runs, four RBI, and three runs scored. Cilley went 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI.
For Becker, Tenney finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Veillette's home run was her only hit of game two as she went 1-for-3 with three RBI.
Winning Pitcher: Eden Forget (1-0)
Losing Pitcher: Lindsay Mitchell (2-2)
