BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit Community College softball team pounded out 23 hits to earn a doubleheader split against Northern Essex CC, falling 6-3 before winning game two, 10-5.

Kelsey Whiting (Sharon) was a horse in the circle for the Warriors (2-11, 2-5), pitching all 14 innings, totaling 16 strikeouts on the day.

"Kelsey was a warrior today for us," head coach Sandy Lombardi said. "She got hurt in the first game but she said she wanted to pitch. She battled through and gutted it out and she was a big reason why we won the second game. She did a great job on the mound."

At the plate, Ashley Pitts (Rockland) went 5-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Alana Oksanen (Halifax) was 5-for-6 at the plate including a perfect 3-for-3 in game two.

"Everybody stepped up in the second game, which is why we were able to come away with the victory," Lombardi said. "Ashley Pitts had a couple of nice hits and played through some back pain. We have a lot of games to play and hopefully we can build some momentum here in the second half of the season."

Game 1: Northern Essex 6, Massasoit 3
Five players finished with multiple hit performances, but the Knights did all their damage with two big offensive innings to claim game one, 6-3.

NECC scored three times in the top of the third inning and tacked on three more in the sixth. The long ball proved to be the difference maker as the Knights launched a pair of homers to lead the offense.

Whiting, who suffered the loss on the hill, struck out nine for the Warriors. She also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Game 2: Massasoit 10, Northern Essex 5
The Warriors raced out to an early 8-0, and held off a late charge by the Knights to earn the doubleheader split.

Leading 8-0 entering the top of the fifth, it looked as though the game would end after five innings. But, Northern Essex scored five unearned runs over the fifth and sixth innings to pull within three.

Still up 8-5, Pitts roped a clutch two-strike RBI triple to left-centerfield and later scored off a sac fly from Alex Pohl (Middleboro) to extend the lead.

Whiting went the distance, allowing just four hits over seven frames of work. The freshman struck out seven and walked three. All five runs allowed were unearned.

Pitts went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and Marrissa Spivey added two hits, two runs and three RBI in the win. Pohl also scored twice and had two hits for the Warriors.