KEENE, N.H. 4/2/09 - Freshman Elizabeth
McNamara's (Londonderry, N.H.) pinch hit single in the
bottom of the 10th inning scored senior Katie
Allenson (Clifton Park, N.Y.) with the game-winning
running giving the Keene State softball team a dramatic second
game 6-5 victory and a split of a doubleheader against
Westfield State on Thursday. Westfield State rallied
for a 5-2 comeback win in the opening game.
Playing its first games of the season at Owl Athletic Complex,
KSC goes to 5-7 while Westfield State is now 10-7 on the
season. It was the first win by WSC over KSC since the 2001
season.
Following the tie-breaking rules, Allenson was placed on second
in the bottom of the 10th inning. After missing several bunt
opportunities, McNamara brought Allenson home with a rocket off the
top of the fence in left center field. "When I missed the
bunt, I knew I had to get a hit or I would let the team down,"
McNamara said. It was a great feeling."
KSC took a 3-0 lead in the first with junior Stephanie
Levado (Wallingford, Conn.) driving in a run.
The Owls added one more run in the third to go up 4-0.
Westfield tied the game with a four-run fifth inning. Senior
Jackie Mason (Florida, Mass.) had an RBI single. The tying
run came home on an error.
WSC took a 5-4 lead in the eighth on a RBI single by junior
Angela Stearns (Hanover, Mass.). KSC got the run back in the bottom
of the inning on a RBI single by senior Jenna
Patnode (Surry, N.H.). That set the stage for
the Owls' heroics in the 10th inning.
Sophomore Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.),
Levado, and Patnode each had two hits for the KSC Owls. Mason
finished the game with three hits for WSC
Freshman Courtney Savoie (Stratham, N.H.), 1-2,
picked up the win in relief of starter Ashley
Clark (Brentwood, N.H.) Savoie went 5.2 innings, giving up
one run on three hits with five strikeouts and a walk.
WSC starter senior Casey Riddell (Orange, Mass.) took the loss.
She gave up six runs on five hits during her nine innings in the
circle. She fanned four.
In the first game, KSC took a 1-0 lead in the first. Patnode led
off with a single, stole second and came home on an error.
The Owls added to their lead with a run in the third.
Westfield began its comeback with a run in the fifth on a RBI
double by Mason. They added two more runs in the sixth on a
wild pitch and bases loaded walk.
WSC added tow insurance runs in the seventh with junior Kim
Brennan (Orange, Mass.) delivering an RBI single.
Patnode had both KSC hits in the game.
Mason and Brennan each had two hits for WSC.
Senior Chelsea Sylvia (South Dartmouth, Mass.) got the complete
game win for Westfield. She gave up two runs on two hits with
12 strikeouts and two walks to improve her record to 7-2.
Freshman Emily Albin (Bethel, Conn.) (1-3) took
the loss for KSC. She gave up three runs on five hits while fanning
five and walking one.
On Saturday, Keene State hosts LEC power R.I. College while
Westfield is at Worcester State.
