MANCHESTER, N.H. – A three-run Holly Eicher (Stoneham, Mass.) homerun in the first inning was the difference as The Southern New Hampshire softball team defeated Merrimack College, and completed the series sweep, by a score of 4-3 Friday evening in Northeast-10 Conference play. The Penmen improve to 18-7 overall and 7-3 in the league, while the Warriors fall to 10-16 overall and 3-5 in conference play.

A pair of singles in the bottom of the first inning setup Eicher's three-run homer. Ali Maloof (Norwood, Mass.) led-off with a single through the right side, followed by a Mo Hannan (Scarborough, Maine) single to center field, to advance Maloof to third. Eicher then hit her fourth homerun of the season to put the Penmen up 3-0.

The Warriors answered in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs on three doubles, to cut the lead to 3-2.

However, in the bottom of the sixth Southern New Hampshire built on its lead, scoring one more run when Katie Caruso (Newton, Mass.) scored from third on a throwing error by the Merrimack catcher. The hosts took the 4-2 lead into the final inning.

After striking out the first batter, Merrimack connected for back-to-back doubles to score a run, and cut the deficit to one. However, Rebecca Sherwood (Braintree, Mass.) was able to retire the next two batters en route to victory for the Penmen.

Dolores Mattice (Schenectady, N.Y.) got the win in the circle for the Penmen going four innings and giving up two runs, five hits, and totaling five strikeouts. Sherwood got the save, her third on the season, and recorded two strikeouts while giving up two hits and one run.

The Penmen return to action this weekend April 12-13 when they travel to Stonehill College for three-game series with a doubleheader starting at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, and a single game at 12:30 Sunday afternoon.   

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