NEW LONDON, Conn. –  The Mitchell Mariners picked up two wins to start a four-game series over the weekend with the Becker Hawks, as things in the New England Collegiate Conference standings grow tighter.

THE BASICS

April 23, 2021

Mariners Sports Complex

Becker Hawks 9-11 (5-7 NECC)

Mitchell Mariners 5-14 (3-9 NECC)

GAME ONE: Mitchell 8 – Becker 0 (Final / 6 Innings)

The Mariners were in control on both offense and defense in the opening game, nearly throwing a no-hitter in the process.

Mitchell was ahead 1-0 with the help of a wild pitch in the first inning and they increased that lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the second on a two-run single to right field by junior Madison Nicynski (Warwick, R.I.).

Meanwhile, Mariners freshman pitcher Katelyn Lipsky (Plantsville, Conn.) was rolling in the circle for Mitchell. She allowed one baserunner in the top of the second on a walk and then struck out the side in the inning. At one point, Lipsky had retired seven-straight Hawks batters.

Things remained 3-0 until the bottom of the fifth when senior Laurissa Amaker (North Haven, Conn.) hit a grand slam, her first home run of the season, increasing the lead to 7-0.

The no-hit bid was stopped in the top of the sixth on a single through the left side of the infield by sophomore Lindsay Mitchell (Billerica, Mass.). The Hawks had a chance to fight back in the game, loading the bases in the sixth but a flyout and two strikeouts left the Hawks trailing 7-0.

The game would end in the bottom of the sixth with the eight-run rule in effect thanks to an RBI single by Mariners senior Maliah Pabellon (Bridgeport, Conn.).

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For Mitchell, six different players finished the game with two hits. Amaker finished 2-for-3 with a triple and the grand slam. Junior Nene Capeles (Bridgeport, Conn.) was 2-for-3 with a double and three runs scored.

For Becker, Mitchell's pinch-hit single was the only hit recorded, as she finished 1-for-1. Senior Elizabeth Simonian (Auburn, Mass.) had a stolen base.

Winning Pitcher: Katelyn Lipsky (4-7)

Losing Pitcher: Ashley Veillette (5-4)

GAME TWO: Mitchell 9 – Becker 8

A late rally for the Mariners was needed in game two for Mitchell to complete the Friday doubleheader sweep against the Hawks.

Trailing 8-5 entering the bottom of the sixth, the Mariners put runners on the corners with one out when Capeles hit a two-run double to left field, cutting the deficit to 8-7.

Three batters later and with two outs, another two-run double, this one off the bat of sophomore Jossette Madison (Newton Falls, Ohio), would give Mitchell the 9-8 edge.

The Hawks went down in order in the top of the seventh as the Mariners came back for the one-run victory.

Becker was in control early, holding a 4-0 lead through two innings thanks to a sacrifice fly by Mitchell and a series of errors that scored three runs for the Hawks on the same play.

They added to that lead in the top of the third on a two-run home run by sophomore Holly Letourneau (Woonsocket, R.I.).

A four-run bottom of the fifth for the Mariners helped set up the eventual game-leading runs in the bottom of the sixth.

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For Mitchell, Capeles and freshman Hannah Lemke (East Haddam, Conn.) each batted 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Nicynski and Madison both went 2-for-3 with two doubles.

For Becker, Letourneau went 2-for-4, including her fifth home run of the season. Senior Sarah Ellis (Berkley, Mass.) was also 2-for-4 while adding two RBI.

Winning Pitcher: Katelyn Lipsky (5-7)

Losing Pitcher: Sheree Fallon (1-2)