'DANBURY, CT 3/29/03– The Keene State College softball team split a twinbill against two-time defending Little East Champion Western CT State University in Danbury, CT, on Saturday.

Brooke Morris and Sarah Zaslaw combined on a one-hitter as WCSU blanked the Owls 2-0 in the opener.  KSC exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning to win the second game 9-3.

Keene State goes to 11-4 (1-1 LEC) while Western CT is now 7-4 (1-1 LEC).

Nicole Foote (Hudson, N.H.) had the only hit by KSC in the first game, a single in the sixth inning.  The Owls had runners on first and second in the inning, but could not get a run across the plate. Jenn Norman (Penacook, N.H.) ended the threat when she flied out into a double play.

Morris struck out six and Zaslaw, who picked up her second save of the season, fanned two.  Stephanie Carter (Cohoes, N.Y.) (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season for the Owls. She went the distance giving up two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts.

Shauna Mullen (Hooksett, N.H.) had two hits including a three-run home run to highlight the Owls' uprising in the nightcap.  "They're still looking for the ball, " said KSC Coach Charlie Beach about Mullen round-tripper.  "We haven't had much luck against Zaslaw, but we go to her today. 

The inning also included two-run singles by Kerry Marsh (Plainfield, N.H.) and Adria Reynolds (Portsmouth, N.H.). 

Missy Zimmerman (Leyden, MA.) (2-2) scattered nine hits in her complete game effort on the mound. Zaslaw (4-2) took the loss for the Colonials.

Reynolds and Marsh finished with two hits each in the game.

"Even in the fist game we were right with them," Beach added.  "The split was a big confidence booster for the team."

Keene State is off until next Saturday when its hosts R.I. College.

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