LEICESTER, Mass. – The Becker Hawks took two games from the New England Pilgrims on Sunday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference play, using some late-game tactics to sweep the doubleheader.
Prior to the game, the Hawks honored the Class of 2021 student-athletes Skyler Tenney (Jaffery, N.H.), Elizabeth Simonian (Auburn, Mass.), and Sarah Ellis (Berkley, Mass.) for their contributions to Hawks Softball.
THE BASICS
May 2, 2021
Russell Field
Becker Hawks 12-14 (8-10 NECC)
New England Pilgrims 14-8 (10-8 NECC)
GAME ONE: Becker 11 – New England 5
The opening game of the doubleheader had plenty of runs early, but a six-run bottom of the fifth was the determining factor in the 11-5 Hawks win.
The six runs all came with two outs as the rally put the Hawks ahead with plenty of insurance in the first game of the day.
Junior Ashley Veillette (Danielson, Conn.) hit a two-run double to left-center field which provided the eventual game-winning runs, as the Hawks took a 7-5 lead.
Two batters later, sophomore Holly Letourneau (Woonsocket, R.I.) knocked in two runs on a single up the middle to put Becker ahead 9-5. Next to the plate was junior Emily Iacovelli (Northbridge, Mass.), who added her own two-run single to give the Hawks an 11-5 edge.
The Hawks held a 5-3 lead through two innings before NEC junior Emily Nelson (Londonderry, N.H.) tied the game at 5-5 with a two-run home run in the top of the fifth.
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For Becker, Letourneau finished 3-for-4 with a double, four RBI, and a run scored. Veillette was 3-for-3 including a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Ellis was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and two runs scored.
For NEC, Nelson's game-tying home run was her first of the season. Sophomore Emily Gagne (Portsmouth, N.H.) finished 3-for-4, all singles with an RBI and a run scored.
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Veillette (6-7)
Losing Pitcher: Naomi Medrano (0-1)
GAME TWO: Becker 5 – New England 4
More early-game runs had the Hawks and Pilgrims locked in a tight battle for game two of Sunday's doubleheader, but a seventh inning walk-off double secured the victory and two-game sweep for the Hawks.
The bottom of the seventh started with freshman Kayla Dell'Anno (Medford, Mass.) reaching base on an infield single. Tenney was next to the plate and a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt moved Dell'Anno to second base.
After a flyout that looked like extra innings were on the way, Veillette stepped into the box and hit the game-winning double to center field, as the Hawks won in walk-off fashion with a 5-4 victory.
A two-run double down the left field line by senior Destiny Helmedach (Middlefield, Conn.) in the first inning was quickly answered in the bottom of the first by a two-run home run by Letourneau.
The Hawks took a 4-2 lead in the second on a wild pitch and a fielder's choice but those runs were answered by a pair of RBI singles for Helmedach and Nelson in the top of the third.
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For Becker, Letourneau finished 2-for-3 including her team-leading eighth home run of the season. Veillette was 2-for-4 with the game-winning RBI double. Freshman Jillana Stevens (Farmington, N.H.) went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
For NEC, Helmedach was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Nelson finished 1-for-3 with her RBI single.
Winning Pitcher: Ashley Veillette (7-7)
Losing Pitcher: Emily Farone (6-4)
