'WESTFIELD, Mass. - Keene State received strong pitching performances from Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, NH) and Erin Fuoroli (Warwick, RI) to sweep a softball doubleheader from Westfield State, 1-0 and 7-1, on Wednesday, April 11.

Keene State boosted its record to a superb 15-1; Westfield is 11-7.

In the opener, Nicholson tossed a two-hitter, struck out seven, and did not issue a walk. Fuoroli went the distance in the nightcap, allowing no walks, no earned runs, six hits and striking out six.

After stranding 10 base runners in the first five innings of the opener, Keene State finally dented the scoreboard with an unearned run in the sixth.

With two outs and the bases empty, Westfield relief pitcher Chelsea Sylvia walked Jenna Patnode on four straight pitches. Sylvia struck out five and allowed one hit in three full innings.

Patnode stole second base, advanced to third on an error by the shortstop, who failed to cover second base on the catcher's throw to second, and scored when the center fielder's throw to third sailed into the Westfield dugout.

Westfield mounted its lone scoring threat in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman Allison Allen pounded a leadoff double over the center fielder's head and advanced to third on a sacrifice hit by Jackie Mason. But Lindsay Jardin popped out to the catcher in foul territory on a bunt attempt, and Adrienne Walker struck out to end the inning.

Senior catcher Liz Patricelli had Westfield's other hit when she broke up a no-hitter by ripping a single down the right field line in the fifth inning.

Keene State designated hitter Melissa Scata was 3 for 3; Scata was 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI in the second game to finish with a five-hit day.

In the nightcap, Keene led 7-0 after four and a half innings, including a three-run uprising in the fifth when they scored two unearned runs.

Keene outhit Westfield, 12-6. Designated hitter Katie Allenson (Clifton Park, NY) was 3 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI.

Westfield freshman outfielder Danielle Lutenegger (Sunderland) was 2 for 3 with a double. Mason and Rosemary Dowling both rapped two singles.

Lyndsay Kennedy, who pitched the first four innings in the opener, hurled into the third inning of the second game to sustain the setback.

Keene State is scheduled to play at Eastern Conn on Saturday.

(Courtesy WSC Sports Information)