'FORT MYERS, FLA.  3/17/03 – The Keene State College softball team posted a 1-0-eight inning tie-breaking victory over Smith College in Fort Myers, Fla., on Monday.

The win improved the Owls' spring week record to 3-0.

Using the tiebreaker rules, KSC put Amanda Foote (Hudson, N.H.) on second to open the bottom of the eighth inning.  She was bunted to third by sister Nicole Foote (Hudson, N.H.) and scored the game-winning run on a single by Abby Blanchette (Webster, N.H.) over the shortstop's head.

The Owls escaped a close call in the top of the inning when Smith College put runners on first and second.  But Kerry Marsh (Meriden, N.H.) made a key defensive play. The senior second baseman fielded a slow roller, tagged the runner going to second and threw to first for a double play.  KSC got out of the jam when the next batter grounded out to third baseman Shauna Mullen (Hooksett, N.H.).

Meanwhile, Missy Zimmerman (Leyden, MA.) shut down the Pioneers on the mound.  The senior pitcher tossed a one-hitter, a single in the sixth inning. 

KSC had three hits in the game, a pair by Blanchette and one by Nicole Foote.

Keene State's earlier game against Pine Manor College was postponed due to an overnight storm.  It will be made up on Tuesday at 9 p.m.

It will be a busy day for Keene State will also play Amherst College (9 a.m.) and Trinity College (11 a.m.) in previously scheduled games.

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