'Providence, RI- Sophomore starting pitcher Beej Grundlock (Blackwood, NJ) helped out her own cause, driving in the decisive runs in the top of the seventh inning to lift third-seeded Wellesley College to a, 2-1, victory over fourth-seeded Keene State College this afternoon in the NCAA Division III Softball New England Regional Tournament at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex. Junior pitcher Jenna Harvey (London, Ontario) came on in relief to work out of a bases loaded seventh inning jam to earn her first save of the season.

Wellesley (24-13) advances in the elimination bracket to face seventh-seeded Emerson College at 5:30 p.m. this afternoon, while Keene State College (28-9) concludes its season.

In a tightly contested affair, neither team was able to solve the opposing starting pitchers in the first six innings of action, combining for just five hits. The Blue opened the scoring in the seventh inning. Junior catcher Kara Wong (Milford, MA) led the inning off with a strikeout, but reached first base on a throwing error by her counterpart. Wong advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, while sophomore centerfield Amanda Tai (Melrose, MA) placed runners on second and third with a two-out single to left field to set up Grundlock's game-winning hit. 

The Owls' would not go quietly in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases with one-out. After having a run cut down at the plate, junior catcher Melissa Scata (Meday, MA) knocked in Keene State's lone run on a fielder's choice to chase Grundlock after 6.2 innings of three-hit ball. Harvey eliminated the threat with Wellesley's eighth strike out of the contest.

Grundlock (3-1) limited the Owls' offense to just three hits in 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander threw 121 pitches, 72 of which were strikes, to fan seven.

Junior starting pitcher Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, NH) did not allow an earned run and gave up four hits, while striking out seven in 6.2 innings of work. Senior Erin Fuoroli (Warwick, RI) struck out the only batter she faced. Nicholson was the hard luck loser as her record falls to 15-3.