'PROVIDENCE, R.I. 5/4/06 - Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, N.H.) tossed a complete game three-hitter to lead third-seed Keene State College to a 2-0 shutout victory over fourth-seed Western Connecticut State University in women's softball Little East Conference tournament action on Thursday  in Providence, R.I. 

The victory stops a four-game losing streak for Keene State, the defending LEC champs, who improve to 25-12 overall.  The Owls will advance to play fifth-seeded University of Southern Maine on Friday (Noon).  WCSU (26-15) had its five-game win streak snapped with the loss and will face top-seed Rhode Island College that same day at 10 a.m.  USM defeated second-seed Eastern Connecticut State University (2-0) in its opening game, while RIC beat sixth-seed UMass-Dartmouth (7-1). 

Nicholson (11-6) kept the Colonials in check as she went the distance to record her 11th win of the season.  Nicholson did not allow a run on just three hits to go along with one strikeout. 

Two runs in the bottom of the second inning for the Owls proved to be all the offense they would need.  Junior center fielder Kathleen Gambino (Freeport, N.Y.) and freshman right fielder Jenna Patnode (Swanzey, N.H.) both reached base with singles.  They both scored on senior third baseman Sarah Campbell's (Auburn, Mass.) two-out double to the left centerfield fence. 

Western Conn. starting pitcher, sophomore Shelby Slie (Seymour, Conn.) was saddled with her sixth (14-6) loss of the season as she threw six innings, giving up two runs on five hits to go along with five strikeouts.