BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The University of New England wrapped up the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) softball schedule with a pair of victories (6-2, 6-1) over Curry College on Sunday afternoon (Apr. 23) at Bill Doran Field.

The Nor'easters, who are slated for a non-conference twinbill at Bowdoin College on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.), now stand at 15-13 on the year and 10-8 in CCC action. The Colonels drop back to 15-19 overall (7-9 CCC), entering Monday's date with Salve Regina University.

Senior Katelyn Austin (Bethlehem, N.H.) and Melissa Sprague (Londonderry, N.H.) were efficient in the circle for UNE, going 5.0 innings apiece with five and nine strikeouts, respectively. The Big Blue defense was error-free, and senior Sydney Helmbrecht (Grand Rapids, Minn.) and Kelsey Mansfield (Brookline, N.H.) hit safely in each contest for the offense, which posted a four-run frame during both results.

The Nor'easters grabbed a 4-0 lead in the seconnd inning of GAME ONE on plays involving three of the six hits in the stanza. With runners at first and third with two out, Alexis Kapsambelis (Merrimack, N.H.) sent a triple into the left-field corner. Avery Alberghini (Middlesex, Vt.) matched that on the next play with a triple into the gap in left-center, and Helmbrecht followed with an RBI-single.

Curry stranded two in scoring position during the 1st and 3rd sessions, and left the bases packed in the 4th, only to see Helmbrecht plate Alberghini again with an RBI-single to give the hosts a 5-0 cushion.

The visitors finally broke through in the top half of the 5th. Mikayla Lambert (Blackstone, Mass.) registered her second double, and a pinch runner came around on a two-out double by Rachel Byrd (Hampstead, N.H.).

In the UNE 6th, Mansfield had a pinch-hit single and Kapsambelis came through with two away, notching her second run-scoring hit to up the margin to 6-1.

Marissa Bruno (Milford, Conn.) tallied a two-out double in the 6th that pulled the Colonels a little closer (6-2). Curry had two more in scoring position during its last chance, but was unable to convert.

Alberghini finished with three hits at the dish for the Nor'easters behind Austin in the circle, and Caroline Schoenbucher (Barrington, N.H.) equaled Helmbrecht and Kapsambelis with two hits.

Rebecca Black (East Greenwich, R.I.) took the loss for CC, totaling four strikeouts without a walk, and 14 hits allowed.

UNE worked three consecutive walks to begin the 1st inning of GAME TWO, and Lauren Gerhard (Merrimack, N.H.) supplied a two-RBI single for the lead. After an out, Gerhard scored on an RBI-single from Mansfield, and a bases-loaded groundout added one more.

Byrd provided Curry's lone run with an RBI-single in the 6th, driving in Mikayla Korona (Bellingham, Mass.).

Michaela Colleran (East Bridgewater, Mass.) recorded two hits for the Colonels, who edged their opponent in the category, 7-5. Lambert was charged with the loss in just 1.2 innings, before McKenna Barlow (Middletown, R.I.) picked up four strikeouts while shutting down UNE the rest of the way. Aside from an error, which eventually factored in a double-play, Barlow faced the minimum number of batters during the final 4.1 innings.

(Game Recap Courtesy of University of New England Sports Information)