When and Where: March 5, 2024  - Winter Haven, Fl. (The Spring Games)
Game 1:  Southern New Hampshire University 4, Ashland University 3 (8 inn.)
Game 2:  Upper Iowa University 6, Southern New Hampshire University 1
Records: SNHU 1-5, Ashland 4-7, Upper Iowa 8-14

SNHU picked up its first win of the season, defeating Ashland University 4-3 in eight innings to open play Tuesday at The Spring Games in Florida.  The Penmen also dropped a 6-1 decision to Upper Iowa University.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Junior Jordyn Resetar (Hanover, Pa.) – 3-for-7, R, 2B, RBI, BB
• Sophomore Abby Lineman (Doylestown, Pa.) – 4-for-7, 2B
• Senior Bella Dickinson (Scarborough, Maine) – 3-for-8, R, 2B, RBI
• Junior Mackenzie Bruggeman (Trumbull, Conn.) – 1-for-5, RBI, 2 BB
• Junior Ari Ferrier (Middleboro, Mass.) – 2-for-7, 2 RBI
• Freshman Charlotte Donovan (Biddeford, Maine) – 2-for-3
• Senior Leine McKechnie (Passadumkeag, Maine) – 8.0 IP – 4 H – 3 R – 2 ER – 4 K

GAME 1:  SNHU 4-3 (8 inn.)

• Ashland took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two-out double by Delaney Maynard.
• The Penmen drew even in the top of the fourth thanks in part to a 15-pitch walk drawn by senior Shannon Gifford (Goffstown, N.H.).  A single by Resetar started the inning and Senior Alyssa DiMauro (Chester, N.H.) bunted her to second.  Lineman singled ahead of Gifford's walk.  Bruggeman walked with the bases loaded to tie the game.
• Maynard hit an inside-the-park home run to deep left field in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Eagles up 2-1.
• The Penmen tied the game in the top of the seventh inning. Dickinson singled and scored on a double by Resetar, who was thrown out trying to advance to third.
• SNHU took the lead in the top of the eighth inning.  Gifford, the placed runner, advanced to third on a passed ball as pinch-hitter sophomore Gianna LaSpina (Bellmore, N.Y.) walked.   A single by Ferrier made it 3-2, and Dickinson added a sacrifice fly.
• McKechnie went the distance in the circle, striking out Maynard to end the game after Ashland had scored a run.

NOTES:

• The all-time series with Ashland is now tied at 2-2.  The teams last met in 2020 in Florida.
• McKechnie improves to 1-2 on the season.  The win was the 20^th of her career.
• The Penmen had a season-high 11 hits to just four for the Eagles.

GAME 2: UPPER IOWA 6-1

• The Penmen took the lead in the second inning after Ferrier grounded out, scoring one run.
• Junior Amelia Freitas (Plymouth, Mass.) pitched five no-hit innings before the Peacocks broke through for four runs in the sixth thanks to four singles- two of them coming with two outs.
• A two-run single by Laila Pelds (2-for-4, 3 RBI) in the sixth put Upper Iowa up 6-1.

NOTES:

• This was the first meeting between SNHU and Upper Iowa.
• Each team had seven hits with Lineman and Donovan collecting two apiece.
• Resetar has reached safely in all six games, although her hit streak was snapped at five in the second game.
• Upper Iowa pitcher Rylee McGonigle went the distance, issuing four walks while striking out two.
• Freitas finished with 7.0 IP, allowing six runs (two earned).  She walked two and struck out six.
   

WHAT'S NEXT

• The Penmen are scheduled to play Minnesota-Crookston (4:15 p.m.) and Bemidji State (6:30 p.m.) on Wednesday at the Auburndale Softball Complex in Jan Phyl Village, Fla.  (Note that these are revised times).

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