BIDDEFORD — Guts isn’t usually pretty. It doesn’t always show itself in the game log, nor is it easily packaged into a neat little happy ending.
But guts, as it was embodied by UNE pitcher Erin Lyons, played an important part in the Nor’easters’ 6-5 win over Salve Regina, in Game 1 of a TCCC softball tilt, Thursday, at Claude Dubois Field.
UNE won the nightcap handily, 11-6, to extend its winning streak to 15, and up its perfect conference mark to 10-0.
Lyons started Game 1, and battled throughout her outing, coming one out short of a complete game.
However, even though she allowed 11 hits to the Seagulls, and saw a four run lead melt away, she was able to find her out pitch when she absolutely had to have one.
She even socked a two run double to help her own cause.
“I was having a bad day today,” said Lyons, a junior. “And I kind of brought it onto the field with me. But I tried to block it out.”
The Nor’easters appeared to be in for an easy time after putting up a four spot in the second inning.
It was Lyons who got them going with a one out double down the left field line.
“The first pitch was right there,” Lyons said, “so I just went at it.”
Two more runs came in later in the inning when Casey Brigham smacked an RBI single.
Salve rebounded with two runs Lyons in both the fourth and fifth innings to tie the score, 4-4.
“She was a little up in the zone today,” said UNE coach Dan Letellier, “But you have faith in Erin, knowing what type of pitcher she is.”
The Seahawks nearly took the lead, but with two away, Jen Cruver was cut down at the plate by a perfect strike from Brigham in right to catcher Ashley Gott.
“That was huge,” said Lyons. “If we didn’t get that, it (the game) would have gone the other way.”
UNE regained the lead, 6-4, with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Marie Mantelli singled up the middle to plate Gauger with the go ahead run.
Lyons was on her way to hurling a complete game when she retired the first two Seahawks in the top of the seventh.
However, she faltered and with two away, handed the ball to reliever Amber Zablowsky, who nailed down the final out.
Zablowsky went the distance in the second game, as her mates put up three runs in the first inning, and four more in the next one.
Lead off hitter Maegen Johnson (four for four) paced the 16-hit barrage.
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com or follow on Twitter @DanHickling.
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