Lyndonville, VT - The Northern Vermont University-Lyndon softball team came into Saturday's North Atlantic Conference doubleheader against Thomas College looking to extend their program best ten-game winning streak. The Terriers had other ideas, however, as they put an end to the Hornet streak by sweeping both games. With the wins, the Terriers improve to 13-15 on the season and 6-2 in NAC play. The Hornets fall to 15-11 overall and 4-4 in conference.
Game 1 - Thomas 10, NVU-Lyndon 5
The Terriers took control from the onset, jumping out to a 7-0 lead after an inning and a half. Thomas plated five runs in the top of the first inning. Maddie Rock got the Terriers on the board with an RBI single. Kaylee Fonseca's base hit drove in two more and was followed by a Kasey Champney two-run home run over the left field fence. The Terriers then took advantage of a Hornet miscue to tack on two more in the second inning.
Lyndon tried to climb back into the game in the home half of the third inning. With one out, Amber Everett (Morrisville, VT) got things started with a base hit back up the middle. Then with two outs, Seairra Anderson (Somersworth, NY) reached on an error to keep the inning alive. Claudia Knapp (Howell, NJ) followed with a base hit, scoring Everett to get the Hornets on the board. Saleena Porter's (St. Johnsbury, VT) base hit drove in two more runs and cut the Thomas lead to 7-3.
The Terriers would answer in the top of the fourth inning. After Kelsey Currier drew a leadoff walk, Anna Piirainen singled. Rock then launched a three-run home run over the center field fence to build the Terrier lead back to seven runs at 10-3.
That would be all of the scoring until the home half of the seventh inning. Jordan Adams (Lyndon, VT) walked leading off. After Blake Southworth (Bethel, VT) beat out an infield hit, both runners scored on Anderson's base hit that Thomas misplayed. That would be as close as the Hornets would get, as Thomas pitcher Claudia Migliaccio retired the next two hitters to close out the complete game win.
Migliaccio allowed one earned run and five hits, striking out three and walking three over seven innings. Hornet pitcher Victoria Valentine (Lyndon, VT) also went the full seven, allowing nine earned runs on ten hits, striking out two and walking three.
Game 2 - Thomas 22, NVU-Lyndon 2
The nightcap was all Terriers. Thomas loaded the bases on a pair of walks and an infield hit to start the game. After scoring their first run following a wild pitch, back to back base hits by Bailey Dunphy and Makayla Panich and a double from Champney each drove in a run. Teresa McLinden's sacrifice fly plated another run. Rock laced a two-run double and later scored on Piirainen's double. When the damage was done, the Terriers led 8-0 before Lyndon came to bat.
Thomas added three runs in the top of the second inning. A bases loaded walk forced in one run, then the Terriers scored two more unearned runs following a Hornet error.
Lyndon got on the board with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Porter led off with a double, then moved to third on Samantha Valentine's (Lyndon, VT) base hit. Valentine and Porter then executed a double steal, with Porter scoring the Hornets' first run.
Thomas put the game even further out of reach with a seven-run third inning. The big blow was a bases loaded, three-run double from Panich. The Terriers also tacked on two runs in the fourth and another in the fifth.
Meanwhile, the Hornets were only able to add on a run in the home fourth. Porter singled with one out, then Samantha Valentine reached on a fielder's choice, with Porter also safe when she beat the throw to second. Riann Fortin (Derby, VT) then singled to left field, scoring Porter. That would turn out to be the only other run for Lyndon.
Jordan Devine picked up the complete game victory for Thomas. She allowed two earned runs and four hits with five strikeouts against one walk. Victoria Valentine started and took the loss for Lyndon.
A NAC playoff berth will be on the line when the Hornets close out the regular season on Sunday afternoon by hosting the University of Maine at Farmington. The Beavers currently have a one-game lead over the Hornets in the race for third place in the NAC's East Division. The top three finishers in each division qualify for the NAC playoffs. Lyndon needs to sweep UMF to claim the final spot in the playoffs. If the Beavers win either game, they will advance to the playoffs.
Sunday will also be Senior Day for the Hornets. Lyndon's lone senior, Samantha Valentine, will be recognized prior to the start of game one, which is scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon.
