THE BASICS 

Score: 
GM 1 - Lesley University, 7 vs. Thomas College, 9
GM 2 – Lesley University, 8 vs. Thomas College, 12

Records: 
Lesley Lynx (2-9, 0-2 NAC)
Thomas Terriers (4-12, 2-0 NAC)

Location: Lexington, Mass. – Minuteman Field

Date: Friday, March 29, 2024

THE LEAD – The Thomas College softball squad picked up a pair of North Atlantic Conference (NAC) wins Friday evening over host Lesley University at Minuteman Field in the NAC opener for both squads. The Terriers downed the Lynx 9-7 in game 1 of a doubleheader before topping the hosts 12-8 in the game 2 matchup.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1)

• The Lynx jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a two-RBI double in the first by shortstop MJ Jones but Thomas cut the deficit in half in the third to pull within 2-1 before taking the lead for good in the fourth with three runs  highlighted by a two-RBI single by Abby Farone to give the visitors a 4-2 cushion.
• Samantha Mecklenburg drove in the third Lynx run of the contest in the bottom of the fourth to make it a one-run game at 4-3 but Thomas answered with a four-run fifth to open things up to an 8-3 score.
• Jones made sure to keep the pressure on, belting another two-RBI hit in the bottom of the fifth to make it 8-5 but an RBI double in the sixth by Maddie Rock distanced the Terriers by a 9-5 edge heading into the final frame.
• Lauren Martin connected on a two-RBI single in the seventh to pull Lesley to within a pair at 9-7 and bring the tying run to the plate but Thomas was able to retire the side and pick up the two-run victory in the conference opener for both sides.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1)

• The Lynx out-hit the Terrier by an 8-6 margin despite the setback.
• Lesley stole a season-high six bases in the affair, by six different players.
• Jones finished the game going 2-for-4 with four RBI while Kari Sorensen and Isabella Moscoso also each collected two hits for LU.
• Addy Boyce earned the win in the pitchers circle for TC going the distance to improve to 1-4 on the year, striking out five.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2)

• Thomas pounced on the Lynx early in the second showdown, building a 5-1 advantage through two innings of play that included a solo home run by Kayla Duhaime in the second.
• The Terriers added a run in the third to move the score to 6-1 before Lesley exploded for six runs in the bottom of the frame to take its first lead of the day at 7-6 following a safety squeeze by Madison Herbert.
• The lead was short-lived as the visitors answered with three runs in the fourth to pull ahead, 9-7 as Duhaime had another RBI knock in the action.
• The Terriers added to the lead in the late innings with the help of several Lesley miscues and cruised to the 12-8 win for the doubleheader sweep.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2)

• Thomas finished the game with a season-high 14 hits including a 3-for-4 performance from Duhaime.
• Jones and Leah St. John each posted 2-for-4 lines with two RBI each for Lesley.
• Brooklyn Federico earned the win in relief to move to 1-1 on the year working the final 4 2/3 innings for TC allowing just one earned run on three hits.
• Emma Hodgkins (1-3) suffered the loss to fall to 1-3 on the year.
• Lesley committed a season-high seven errors in the defeat.

UP NEXT

• Lesley has some time to regroup, returning to the diamond on Wednesday, April 3 for a non-conference doubleheader vs. Hunter scheduled for a 2:00 PM first pitch.
• Thomas is off until next Saturday, April 6 when they host UMaine Presque-Isle for more NAC action in Waterville, Maine.