Gorham, Maine—Freshman left fielder Melanie Earley (Lumberton, N.J.) knocked in the game-winning run and sophomore second baseman Noelle Simmons (Goffstown, N.H.) went 4-for-4 as the Rhode Island College softball team came from behind to defeat Southern Maine, 3-2, in the second game of a Little East twinbill and complete a sweep on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 3, Southern Maine 2
Rhode Island College (25-3, 8-0 LEC)
Southern Maine (17-7, 5-3 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The game was a pitchers' duel for the first three innings as both teams were kept scoreless.
 
• Earley put the visitors on top, 1-0, in the fourth, but the Huskies tied it in the home half of the frame and went ahead, 2-1, in the fifth.
 
• In the seventh inning and down a run, senior first baseman Katelyn Ashe (Colchester, Conn.) reached first base on a throwing error, which allowed Simmons to score and tie the game.
 
• Earley hit a single up the middle to send the eventual game-winning run across the plate.
 
• Junior pitcher Taylor Babcock (East Providence, R.I.) threw six innings and gave up just one earned run (11-0).
 
• After hurling a five-inning, four-hitter in the opener, junior pitcher Abby Kidd (Granby, Conn.) kept USM off the board in the bottom of the seventh to pick up her second save of the season.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East play with a doubleheader at home vs. UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, April 23 (4 p.m.).