When and Where: April 27, 2024  -  Hooksett, N.H. (SNHU Softball Field)
Game 1:  Pace University 4, Southern New Hampshire University 1
Game 2:  Southern New Hampshire University 2, Pace University 1
Records: SNHU 25-17 (14-8 NE10), Pace 32-13 (15-7 NE10)

Senior Shannon Gifford (Goffstown, N.H.) drove in a pair of runs as SNHU defeated Pace University 2-1 to earn a split of Saturday's doubleheader.  With the win, the Penmen earn the fourth seed in the upcoming Northeast-10 Championship and a first-round bye.  The Setters won the opener 4-1.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Gifford – 2-for-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI
• Sophomore Peyton Feldman (Foxboro, Mass.) – 2-for-4, R, 3 BB
• Senior Alyssa DiMauro (Chester, N.H.) – 2-for-5, R, BB
• Freshman Julianna Colbert (Burrillville, R.I.)- W, 3.2 IP – 1 H – 0 ER – 4 K
• Senior Hannah DeRock (Hunt, N.Y.) – 3.1 IP – 4 H – 1 ER – 1 K
• Senior Leine McKechnie (Passadumkeag, Maine ) – 4.0 IP – 4 H  - 2 ER – 2 K

GAME 1:  PACE 4-1

• The Penmen were limited to four hits by pitcher Gisselle Garcia, who earned her 19^th win, striking out nine.
• SNHU managed an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning, which cut the Setter lead to 2-1.
• Gifford singled and moved to second on a single by senior Bella Dickinson (Scarborough, Maine).
• Junior Jordyn Resetar (Hanover, Pa.) reached first on a fielding error in left field allowing Gifford to score. 
• SNHU threatened with two on in the bottom of the fifth but failed to score.
• Garcia retired the last eight hitters for the Setters.
• McKechnie (L, 10-8) started in the circle, and freshman Charlotte Donovan (Biddeford, Maine) finished up.

GAME 2: SNHU 2-1

• Just like in the first game, the Penmen were down 1-0 after giving up a run in the top of the first inning.
• In the bottom of the first, Feldman walked and DiMauro bunted her to second.  A walk to sophomore Abby Lineman (Doylestown, Pa.) and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out.
• Gifford hit a deep fly to center field which scored the run.
• Gifford drove in what would be the game-winner in the bottom of the third inning coming after walks to Feldman and DiMauro.  Her double to left field scored Feldman to make it 2-1.
• DeRock made her first start of the season in the circle, working into the top of the fourth.
• Colbert (W, 9-2) pitched 3.2 innings of one-hit ball in relief with four strikeouts.

NOTES:

• Gifford's double was the only extra-base hit of the day for the Penmen.
• The bracket for the upcoming Northeast-10 Championship has been released with eight teams having qualified.   #1 Adelphi will host the Championship.  #2 Assumption, #3 Pace, and #4 SNHU will head to Garden City and await the winners of first-round games between #5 Franklin and #8 Southern Connecticut, and #6 Saint Anselm and #7 Bentley.
• SNHU finished the conference schedule at 14-8.  It's the 16^th consecutive season under Head Coach Deb Robitaille that the Penmen have finished with at least a .500 record in NE10 play.
• The Penmen lead the all-time series with Pace 23-19 with wins in three of the last four. 
• SNHU honored seven seniors before the contest.  Infielders Gifford (3B), Dickinson (SS), and DiMauro (2B), outfielders Ari Ferrier (Middleboro, Mass.) and Jill Johnson (Raynham, Mass.) and McKechnie are set to graduate.

WHAT'S NEXT

• As the four-seed, SNHU will meet the winner of Tuesday's contest between #8 seed Southern Connecticut State University and #5 Franklin Pierce University.   That contest will be played at host Adelphi University on Thursday (May 2).

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