'KEENE, N.H. 4/11/06 - Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, N.H.) and Erin Fuoroli (Warwick, R.I.) tossed complete games shutouts in Keene State's softball doubleheader sweep (3-0 and 8-0) over Pine Manor College at Owl Athletic Complex on Tuesday afternoon.

Keene State improves to 14-4.  Pine Manor, coached by former Owl softball player Erin Van Nostrand, falls to 16-15.

Pitching a one-hitter in the opener, Nicholson struck out a career-high 14 batters and didn't issue a walk.  She improves to 6-3.

The Owls manufactured a first inning run. Jenna Patnode (Swanzey, N.H.) walked; moved to second on a fielder's choice and after stealing third came home on an error.  KSC added two more runs in the third on a fielder's choice and a Gator error. Melissa Scata (Medway, Mass.), Sarah Campbell (Auburn, Mass.), and Nicholson collected singles for the Owls in the game.

The Gator's only hit was a double by Amy Jordan (Taunton, Mass.) in the fifth.

Nicole Vocaturo (Bellmore, N.Y.), who finished with six Ks and two walks, took the loss for Pine Manor. 

Fuoroli followed with a five inning, two-hitter in the nightcap. She fanned five and walked one batter to improve her record to 5-1.

The Owls took a 1-0 lead in the first on a RBI single up the middle by Scata.  KSC picked up two more runs in the third on sacrifice flies by Scata and Nicholson. Patnode had a two run double and Jessica Starkey (Keene, N.H.) and Kaity Conklin (Selkirk, N.Y.) added run producing singles in a four run fourth inning. .  Liz Mroczka (Rocky Hill, Conn.) ended the game with a bases loaded single to short in the fifth.

Patnode and Conklin finished the game with two hits each.

Megan Richmond (Milton, Ont.) took the loss for Pine Manor.

Keene State hosts Mass College of Liberal Arts on Thursday (3 p.m.). Pine Manor is at Daniel Webster College on Saturday (12 p.m.).