BOX SCORE

When and Where: April 14, 2017 – Manchester, N.H. (SNHU Softball Field)
Score: Southern New Hampshire University 4, Saint Anselm College 2
Records: SNHU 16-14 (2-8 Northeast-10), Saint Anselm 8-10 (6-4 Northeast-10)

Junior Sarah Lavallee (Candia, N.H.) connected on a pair of solo home runs, including the go-ahead run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Southern New Hampshire University softball team picked up a, 4-2, come from behind victory over Saint Anselm College Friday in Northeast-10 Conference softball action at the SNHU Softball Field.

Lavallee finished 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while freshman Hannah Neverett (Nashua, N.H.) was also 2-for-3 on the day and launched a solo shot of her own in the sixth. Senior Nicole Gubellini (Salem, N.H.) improved to 5-2 in the circle with a complete-game effort that saw her allow two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.

After a two-out, two-out double by Megan Murrell put the Hawks ahead by a pair in the top half of the third, the Penmen answered with a two spot of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Lavallee unloaded on the first pitch of the inning, and deposited the ball into the fourth row of the bleachers in left centerfield for her sixth homer of the year to cut the deficit in half. Senior Devan Rabidou (Ashland, Mass.) laced a triple to the right centerfield gap two batters later, and freshman Erin Tyrell (Milford, N.H.) ripped a single just inside the bag at third to knot the score at two.

Saint Anselm threatened in the top of the fifth, as a one-out walk to Erin Thompson and a two-out base hit off the bat of Murrell left runners on the corners. Gubellini bore down and got Southern New Hampshire out of the inning unscathed with her fourth punchout of the afternoon.

Lavallee went back to work in the fifth and broke the stalemate by lining a full-count offering over the wall in straightaway center to put the hosts in front, 3-2. After a shutdown inning by Gubellini in the sixth, Neverett smacked a solo shot out to left to provide the 4-2 final.

Amanda Bickford turned in a 2-for-4 showing at the plate for the Hawks and scored a run, while Murrell finished with two hits in three trips to the dish. Morgan Perry worked the first four innings for Saint Anselm and surrendered two runs on six hits before turning things over to Sam Hennequin, who suffered the setback after allowing two earned in two innings. 

Notes:
- The Penmen outhit the Hawks, 9-7, on the afternoon and are now 11-2 when they register more hits than their opponent. Southern New Hampshire is also unbeaten when it hits two or more home runs, and with three taters in Friday's triumph, the Penmen stand at 4-0 when blasting more than a pair.
- Southern New Hampshire improved to 4-2 when tied through four innings of play, and upped its record to 12-2 when holding the lead through five complete.
- With two home runs on Friday, Lavallee moves into sole possession of third place on the Penmen all-time home run leaders list with 24 dingers. She trails only Kate Stanley (35) and Lindsey Bolduc (27) in SNHU history.

What's Next:
Southern New Hampshire turns right around for its fifth and sixth games in five days on Saturday, as it plays host to Stonehill College for a Northeast-10 Conference twinbill slated to begin at noon.

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