HENNIKER, N.H. — New England College softball opened its home schedule with two North Atlantic Conference (NAC) victories Saturday afternoon, beating Maine Maritime Academy 11-4 in game one before shutting out the Mariners 6-0 in the nightcap.

With the wins the Pilgrims even their overall record at 8-8 and are 2-0 in NAC play. The losses drop the Mariners to 7-3 overall and 0-2 in the NAC.

In game one, the Pilgrims pounded out 17 hits and exploded for seven runs in the fifth inning to capture the 11-4 victory. The two teams were knotted at 4-4 heading into the home half of the fifth before the Pilgrims scored seven runs on nine hits, including home runs from Gabrielle Timms (Clark Summit, Pa.) and Alyssa Hoot (Waterville, Ohio).

NEC's Timms closed out the game in the circle allowing just one hit in two innings of work to capture the victory.

NEC's Hoot finished with two home runs, while LiAnn Linck (New Fairfield, Conn.), Elizabeth Harrigan (Weston, Conn.) and Jessica Kiehl (North Haven, Conn.) each registered three hits.

Maine Maritime's Erica Taylor (Mesquite, Texas) homered and singled for the Mariners, while Leah Jackson (Dedham) recorded two hits, including a double. Taylor toss five strikeouts in taking the loss.

In game two NEC scored a run in the first inning and tacked on two more in the second and fourth en route to a 6-0 shutout.

Linck who was 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and Harrigan and Taylor Belsito (Millbury, Mass.) each had two hits.

Timms pitched a complete game shutout allowing seven hits, while striking out five.

The Mariners' Taylor singled twice and Jackson doubled. Abby Yeo (Bucksport) allowed six runs and struck out two.

Maine Maritime returns to action today when the Mariners open their home slate against Colby.

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