'KEENE, N.H. 4/15/06 - The Keene State College softball team split a Little East Conference doubleheader against Eastern Connecticut State University at Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday.  After posting a come-from-behind 4-3 win in the opener, the Owls late-inning rally fell short with a 3-2 loss.

Keene State (18-6, 3-1 LEC) and Eastern Conn. (11-13, 3-1) came into the doubleheader tied for the top spot in the LEC.

In the first game, ECSU took a 3-0 lead on a solo home run by Monica Rochon (Bloomfield, Conn.) and two-run shot by Karen Taber (Deep River, Conn.).

KSC got two runs back in the fifth on a RBI double from Julia May (Deep River, Conn.) and run scoring single from Jenna Patnode (Swanzey, N.H.).  In the sixth, KSC tied the score on a Melissa Scata (Medway, Mass.) double and took the lead (4-3) on a throwing error that scored Amanda Foote (Hudson, N.H.).

Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, N.H.), (eight strikeouts and no walks, 8-4 record) with late inning help from Erin Fuoroli (Warwick, R.I.) (first save) picked up the win for the Owls. 

Lindsay Savelle (Cheshire, Conn.) (five strikeouts, no walks, 7-6 record) was the losing pitcher for the Warriors.

The Owls fells behind 3-0 in the second game before rallying for two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  Krystle Denny (West Haven, Conn.),Courtney Watson (Bristol, Conn.) and Nikki Vachon (East Hamden, Conn.) had RBI doubles for ECSU.

ECSU had bases loaded in the top of the sixth, but Kari Gadner (Graton, Mass.) got a strikeout and a pop out to get out of the jam.

In the bottom sixth, Kaity Conklin (Selkirk, N.Y) made it a 3-1 game with her second home run of the season.  Nicholson followed with a double.  After an infield out, Allie D'Amato (Bristol, Conn.), pinch-running for Nicholson, scored KSC second run on an error. Savelle, in relief of Warrior starter Brooke Nici (Clinton, Mass.) came in to quell KSC's rally.

Fuoroli (6 Ks, 0 walks, 8-2) suffered her second loss of the season.  

Nici (7 Ks, 2 walks, 2-4 record) got the win for ECSU.