ALBANY – Saint Anselm College overcame a two-run deficit in game two by plating four runs in the top of the sixth to sweep a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader over The College of Saint Rose softball team today at the Plumeri Complex. The Hawks (12-12/5-5 NE-10) took a 12-4 victory in the opener and rallied for an 8-6 win in the nightcap to hand the Golden Knights (3-17/1-9 NE-10) their ninth straight setback.

Both clubs pounded out 12 hits apiece in the opener. Senior shortstop Ashley Anderson went 3-for-4, including a solo home run, to go with two runs and two RBI to lead Saint Rose. Meanwhile, sophomore second baseman Kayla Kuilema and junior left fielder Katie Ives each wound up 2-for-3.

Junior designated player Kayla McEachern led the offensive attack for Saint Anselm with a pair of home runs. McEachern finished 2-for-5 with five RBI and freshman right fielder Amanda Massad was 3-for-4 with three runs.

McEachern belted a three-run shot in the second and added a two-run blast in the fourth to power the Hawks. Freshman first baseman Kylene Pease also pushed across two runs with one swing of the bat in the third. Pease smacked an RBI triple to the left center field wall and then scored on a throwing error.

In game two, junior catcher Nikki Woodard paced the Golden Knights with a 3-for-4 effort at the dish to go along with six RBI. Woodard finished with a pair of home runs, while sophomore designated player Lindsey David also went 3-for-4.

McEachern stayed hot for Saint Anselm by going 1-for-3 with another homer. Senior second baseman Lizzy LeBrun went 3-for-4 with four RBI, while junior third baseman Jackie Giannino was 2-for-2 with three runs and two RBI.

Woodard single-handedly ignited the offense. She broke a 4-4 tie with a two-run shot in the fifth that put the Golden Knights on top 6-4. Initially, Woodard belted her first career homer, a grand slam in the bottom of the first, that put Saint Rose in front 4-2.

The Hawks did not go away, however, by putting up four runs in the top of the sixth to grab an 8-6 lead they would not relinquish. Giannino delivered a two-run double that tied things 6-6, LeBrun provided the go-ahead run via a single to left and McEachern scored on another RBI single by junior center fielder Raylyn Glavin for the final margin.

Senior right-hander Megan Lemire picked up the save in game two after retiring all three batters she faced in order in the seventh. Lemire was credited with the win in the opener after going the distance to improve to 5-4 on the year.

For Saint Rose, freshman right-hander Courtney Galuski tossed 1.2 innings of shutout ball in relief of sophomore lefty Sarah Arbogast. Arbogast fanned four and walked two in 5.2 innings of work.

Up next, the Golden Knights will host Southern New Hampshire University tomorrow afternoon in another league doubleheader. Game one is set to begin at 1:00 pm. Saint Anselm remains on the road for an NE-10 twin-bill at Le Moyne College tomorrow starting at noon. 

Box Score - Game 1

Box Score - Game 2