HENNIKER, N.H. – The Norwich University softball team dropped a pair of one-run heartbreaking losses to New England College on Monday afternoon in non-conference action.

Freshman Annika Beebe (Marianna, Fla.) hit her first two collegiate home runs, but it wasn't enough as Norwich (1-7, 0-4 GNAC) fell 5-4 and 9-8 to the Pilgrims. 

Junior centerfielder Dara Kelly (Chesterfield, N.J.) also continued her impressive spring, going 5-for-7 with three runs scored and two RBIs. 

Beebe also threw 7.2 innings in the pitcher's circle and struck out seven hitters between two relief appearances for the Cadets. 

In Game 1, Norwich took a 1-0 lead only to have New England College (3-0, 0-0 NECC) score four unanswered runs. In the top of the fifth inning, Kelly lined a double to right center to score Nicole Perault (Nashua, N.H.) and Beebe to cut the deficit to 4-3. 

Beebe tied the game in the top of the seventh with her first collegiate home run, launching a towering home run over the left field fence. 

However, NEC rallied in the bottom of the seventh with Destiny Helmedach lining a single to right field that scored Rachel Senechal from second base for the walk-off win. Felicia Armell (North Ferrisburgh, Vt.) made a terrific throw from right field, but Senechal just beat the throw and ensuing tag to score the game-winning run. 

In Game 2, Norwich jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning with Maggie Rasmussen (Kingston, N.H.) doubling to centerfield to score Liliana Rolfe (Plainville, Mass.), Beebe reaching on a fielder's choice with a RBI to score Kelly and then Niven reaching on another fielder's choice to score Rasmussen. 

New England College seized control of the game in the bottom of the second with six runs to take a 6-3 lead after two. Rasmussen struck again in the top of the third with a RBI single to score Rolfe and then Kelly scored to cut the deficit to 6-5. 

However, NEC answered with three more runs in the bottom of the third to make it 9-5 Pilgrims after three. 

The Cadets scored two in the top of the fifth with Beebe singling to left field to score Kelly, while Caitlin Dailey (Topsham, Maine) grounded out the pitcher that allowed Beebe to score on the play to cut the NEC lead to 9-7. 

Beebe hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh to centerfield to make it 9-8 Pilgrims, but that's as close as Norwich would get. 

NEC pounded out 18 hits in Game 2 to the Cadets' seven. The Pilgrims also outhit Norwich 8-6 in Game 1. Beebe took the loss in relief for Game 1, coming on for 2.2 innings, striking out four and giving up one earned run on three hits. 

Freshman Julia Vawter (Pelham, N.H.) made her first collegiate appearance in Game 1 and took the loss after giving up six earned runs. 

Norwich will finally play its first home games of 2021 when it hosts Anna Maria on Sunday, April 11 at 1 and 3 p.m. on the NU Softball Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.