CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Senior third baseman Carlyn Barker (Temecula, Calif.) drove home the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning of game as the Lynx walked off with the 2-1 win over Becker College. They Hawks came back to split the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) double-header with a 4-3 victory in game two.
First year right-hander Sarah Bushman (Aurora, Colo.), who improved to 7-6 on the year, struck out a career single-game high 14 Hawks after tossing eight innings allowing one run on two hits.
Game 1: Lesley 2, Becker 1
Bushman was dominant in the circle retiring 10 of the first 11 batters she faced. The Hawks were finally able to get to Bushman in the top of the fourth when senior Ashley Ciepiela (Adams, Mass.) drove in sophomore Vasia Murphy (Dracut, Mass.) to take the 1-0 lead.
But it did little to distract Bushman. Remaining laser-focused she retired the next nine Hawk batters including seven by way of the strikeout to keep the Lynx in the ballgame.
The Lynx were able to finally able to get to junior right-hander Samantha Lee (Prospect, Conn.) in the bottom of the sixth. Sophomore shortstop Abby Henderson (Rochester, N.H.) opened in the inning with a double to right-center before scampering to third on a fielder's choice. Moments later she came into score the game-tying run on another fielder's choice to shortstop.
It's where the game stood until the eighth inning. The Hawks looked poised to score with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the frame but were unable to squeak out a run. Bushman was able to retire junior Rebecca Carkhuff (Amherst, Mass.) on strikes before getting her counterpart to ground out to third. Barker went home for the force out at the plate for the second out before Megan Klemanchuck (Pawtucket, R.I.) to ground out to shortstop.
In the home half with junior centerfielder Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) standing just 60 feet away with the game-winning run and one out, Barker laid down a perfect bunt. Pereira darted for the plate sliding under the tag to give the Lynx the 2-1 victory.
Game 2: Becker 4, Lesley 3
Senior catcher Mekenzi Golden (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) put the Lynx on the scoreboard first blasting a solo shot to right-center in the bottom of the first. However, the Hawks were able to get to Lesley game two starter, senior right-hander Aly Nisbet (Clovis, Calif.), for four runs in the top of the third to take the 4-1 lead.
The Lynx chipped their way back, scoring once in the fourth to cut the deficit in half before pushing across a run in the bottom of the seventh. It was not going to be enough as Lee helped her own cause getting Nisbet to ground out back to the mount for the final out.
Starting both games on the day, Lee earned the victory allowing three runs – only two earned – while scattering eight hits and striking out five to improve to 6-6. Nisbet drops to 5-8 on the season allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out seven.
The Lynx will return to the diamond on Tuesday April 25th when they travel to Wenham, Mass. for a non-conference doubleheader against Gordon College at 3:30 p.m. The Hawks return on Friday April 28th for two against NECC foe Wheelock College at 3:00 p.m. in Chestnut Hill, Mass.