Box Score

KEENE, N.H. -- Third-seeded Keene State College trailed by two after just four batters for No. 6 University of New England, but scored a pair of runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings only the way to a 6-3 victory in the first round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Softball Championship on Wednesday afternoon (May 8) at the Owl Athletic Complex.

The Owls (22-16) advance to host the double elimination phase of the tournament this weekend, and will face No. 7 Worcester State University (a 6-4 winner in 8 innings over second-seeded Brandeis University).

Fourth seed Western New England University will also be there, following a 1-0, 6-inning (rain-shortened) win over Norwich University. The Golden Bears will get either top-seeded Wheaton College or Becker College; that contest was postponed to Thursday. Click HERE to view the tournament bracket.

The Nor'easters conclude their season with an overall record of 22-18-1.

Big Blue got a lead-off single from first-year Amanda Vallante in the 1st inning, and an infield throwing error allowed junior Allie Frazier to reach while Vallante made it over the third base. Once Frazier took second and the Owls recorded the first out of the frame, sophomore Adrienne Chase blasted a double into left field, scoring both runners for a 2-0 cushion.

That margin nearly held through the KSC 2nd inning, but a two-out single by Molly Dussault followed by a double from Anna Glassman and a single by Stephanie Long were just enough to even the score at 2-2. 

A lead-off single and steal of second by Frazier in the 3rd looked promising for UNE to regain the advantage, but the visitors could not get her around to score.

Keene State started the last half of the 3rd with a walk, single, and error, however grounded into consecutive force-outs at the plate to delay taking the lead. The wait did not last long, as a Dussault single just outside the infield brought two runners across for a 4-2 edge. Another free pass loaded the bases once more, but the ensuing batter struck out to end the threat.

UNE got one back in the 4th, capitalizing on a pair of two-out walks and a two-base infield error to get within 4-3.

A single and two doubles amounted to two additional runs for the hosts.

Owls pitcher Katie Newell retired nine of the last 10 she faced to keep the Nor'easters in-check. A one-out single up the middle from Chase -- her second hit of the day -- was the lone exception for UNE in the closing stretch.

Newell went the distance in the circle to improve to 3-5 on the year, giving up four hits and three walks against two strikeouts. Jessica Fiorenza and Meryl Ragaini joined Dussault and Long with two hits to support the Keene State offense.

Big Blue first-year Lauren Doneski logged 3 1/3 innings in the loss (8-5), surrendering eight hits and three walks. Classmate Abby Lambert pitched the rest, allowing three hits and no walks over the final 2 2/3.