FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2008

NEECE & DEVEINES LEAD RIC PAST PANTHERS
RIC Improves to 10-0 in Little East Action

Plymouth, NH—Rhode Island College got strong pitching and played error-free defense Saturday afternoon en route to sweeping a Little East Conference softball doubleheader from Plymouth State University, 6-2 and 6-0, in PSU’s home opener at D&M Park.

 The Anchorwomen managed just three hits in the opener, but scored six unearned runs thanks to six PSU errors, and came back with six runs on seven hits in the nightcap.  RIC, the defending LEC champions and currently ranked No. 1 in New England, improved to 27-5 overall and 10-0 in conference play, while PSU dipped to 17-11 and 2-8.

RIC took a 3-0 lead in the third inning of the opener with the help of three Panther errors.  The only hit of the inning was a two-out, two-run double by freshman catcher Kayla Jandreau (Plainville, CT). PSU bounced right back with two runs in the bottom half of the inning when sophomore Jenna George (Cumberland, RI) led off with a double and freshman Kortney Nedeau (Kennebunk, ME) smacked her second home run of the season over the left field fence.

The Anchorwomen put the game away with four unearned runs in the fifth inning, following two Panther miscues.  Freshman second baseman Amanda Perry (New Bedford, MA) brought home one run with a bases-loaded walk. A grounder to the pitcher forced out a potential run at the plate, but the throw to first base for the double-play attempt sailed into right field, allowing two more runs to come home.

Freshman Melanie Neece (Westfield, MA) picked up the win for RIC, improving to 14-2, allowing just three hits, while striking out eight.  Sophomore Kat Roland (Norton, MA) suffered the loss for PSU (8-4), despite allowing only three hits and no earned runs, while fanning seven.

 Melanie Neece

The visitors jumped ahead in the nightcap with a pair of runs in the first inning, and added four more runs in the fourth inning. That was plenty for sophomore pitchers Jenna Deveines (Lowville, NY) and Jamie Sacco (Bellingham, MA), who limited PSU to just four hits.  Deveines picked up the win with four innings of two-hit pitching, while Sacco came on to throw three innings, surrendering just two hits.

Jenna Deveines

 Jamie Sacco

The seven RIC hits in the nightcap came from seven different batters. Senior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) contributed a two-run single in the fourth inning to lead the way, while rookie left fielder Donielle Mattoon (Coventry, RI), freshman right fielder Chelsi Panarelli (Shrewsbury, MA) and sophomore designated player Mandy Shurgot (Woonsocket, RI) each drove in a run.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will face Little East Conference rival Western Connecticut on Tuesday, Apr. 22 at 3:30 p.m. It will be Senior Day as Lotti and classmates Jeanne Rosa (Milford, CT) and Krystal Bilek (Fitchburg, MA) will be honored prior to the start of game one.

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