'DANBURY, CT - The Keene State College softball team used timely hitting and two strong pitching performances in a doubleheader sweep over Western Connecticut State University, 4-2 and 4-3, Saturday afternoon at Westside Field in Danbury.

Leading 2-0 in the opener, WestConn's Shelby Slie (Seymour, CT) was cruising along with 14 strike outs and an infield single allowed through six and two thirds innings.

Then the Owls' bats came alive and they scored four runs in their last at bat.  Jenna Patnode (Surry, NH) tied the score at 2-2 when she drove Kathleen Gambino (Freeport, NY) home with a triple and scored when Cortney Romyns (Newton, NJ) over threw third base attempting to get Patnode.  Jessica Starkey (Keene, NH) closed out the barrage when she doubled and later scored after two walks, one of them intentionally, and a single by Katie Allenson (Clifton Park, NY).

Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, NH) came on in relief of starter Erin Fuoroli (Warwick, RI) and earned her second save of the season after retiring the side in order in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Fuoroli, who improves to 5-1, allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out two and walking none.

Stacey DiMaggio (Hopewell, Jct., NY) and Meg Cirigliano (Newington, CT) each went 2 for 3 to lead the Colonials hitting attack.

In the second game, Nicholson went the distance allowing nine hits while striking out two and walking none.

The Owls, 11-1 overall and 2-0 in the Little East Conference, took a 4-0 lead after scoring three runs in the sixth inning.  Kari Gardner (Grafton, MA) had a two-run single off reliever and loser Romyns who had come on in relief of starter Cirigliano after she opened the frame with back-to-back walks.

The Colonials, 7-7 and 0-2, drew within two, 4-2 following a two-RBI double by Cirigliano, who stayed in the game and played third base.  She drove in another run in the seventh with a long sacrifice fly with one out and the bases loaded.  DiMaggio grounded softly to first to end the come-back attempt.

WestConn travels to Westfield State College for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, April 3.  First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.  The Owls host Springfield College in a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Monday, April 2.

(Courtesy WCSU Sports Information)