Providence, R.I.--Senior shortstop Amanda Conti (Lincoln, R.I.) went a combined 3-for-6 with three RBI and notched her 100^th career hit as Rhode Island College opened Little East action with a doubleheader split vs. Southern Maine (2-5; 5-0) at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex played on Friday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 2, 5; Southern Maine 5, 0
Rhode Island College (12-8, 1-1 LEC)
Southern Maine (5-9, 1-1 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE
• Fifth-year third baseman Victoria Young (Sterling, Conn.) reached first on an error in the second inning, which brought home junior second baseman Noelle Simmons (Goffstown, N.H.) for the first run of the game.
 
• Conti would then crack an RBI-double to right field in the bottom of the third frame to notch her 100^th career hit and stake the Anchorwomen to a 2-0 advantage.
 
• RIC was poised to close out USM in the top of the seventh, but the Huskies would capitalize on an error, wild pitch, passed ball and a pair of hits to plate four runs and pick up the improbable victory.

• Senior pitcher Abby Kidd (Granby, Conn.) suffered the loss (6-3).
 
GAME TWO
• As both teams went scoreless through the first two innings, the hosts sailed into the lead with a triple from Conti, which plated sophomore left fielder Sydney Duclos (North Providence, R.I.) in the third stanza.
 
• Simmons followed later with an RBI line-out sacrifice fly to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
 
• Conti recorded another RBI, this time in the fifth inning, with a double to right center field to bring in junior center fielder Sophia Crudale (Cranston, R.I.).
 
• Young cleared the bases with a two-run triple in the same inning.

• Sophomore pitcher Ashleigh von der Linden (Stratham, N.H.) fired a complete game three-hit shutout to go along with three strikeouts to earn the win (6-3).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Worcester State for a doubleheader on Thursday, April 3 (4 p.m.).