Eastern Connecticut State rallied from an early 2-0 deficit with a four-run third inning and two-run fourth inning to defeat Gettysburg 6-2 in the first elimination game of the NCAA Div. III regional at Virginia Wesleyan.
Audrey Bergan led off the game with a swinging bunt before Julia Smith poked an offspeed pitch through the left side. With two outs, Carlie Goldstein dropped a full-count single just out of the reach of a diving outfielder to score both runners and stake her team to a 2-0 lead after one-half inning.
Kaley Laird lined a single to center to lead off the third inning before moving up to second on a sacrifice. After a fielder’s choice did not get an out, Alyssa Vilchez and Julia SanGiovanni laced back-to-back singles to tie the game. Maddi Sauve then put a ball off the fence in left for a double to give Eastern Connecticut the lead and force a pitching change. Sarah Remillard dropped down a suicide squeeze that went for a base hit and a 4-2 lead.
With one out in the fourth, Maggie Baker singled and then stole second. After a Vilchez walk, SanGiovanni was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A Sauve single into left plated Baker before pinch-runner Reagan Lalor scored on a wild pitch for a 6-2 lead.
Bergan led off the seventh with a four-pitch walk before moving to second on a groundout, third on a wild pitch, and scoring on a throwing error for the 6-3 final.
Audrey Bergan led the Bullets with a hit, walk, and two runs scored.
Alyssa Vilchez had two hits to help the Warriors’ offense while also throwing a complete game with five strikeouts.
Giovanna Komst finished with one hit to end her career with 151 hits, which ranks 11th in program history.
Eastern Connecticut will face Lebanon Valley in the regional’s second elimination game at 4:30 p.m. The winner advances to Saturday’s regional final against host and top seed Virginia Wesleyan and would need to defeat the Marlins twice. The first game begins at 1 p.m. with the, if necessary, game to follow.
This story first appeared on the Gettysburg College website.