Keene, NH; The #2 seed Keene State College defeated #7 seed Salve Regina University 7-3 in the opening round of the ECAC New England Regional Tournament Wednesday evening at Owl Athletic Complex.  The Seahawks finish the season (25-20), while the Owls move to (27-14) and head to Brandeis University who will host the remainder of the tournament.  

The Owls jumped on the board early scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Jenna Patnode (Surry, NH) led off the inning with a single. Allie D'Amato (Bristol, Conn.) walked and Katie Allenson (Clifton Park, NY) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. An illegal pitch by Sarah Jakiela (Meriden, Conn.) gave up the first run of the game. Haley Chandler (Wakefield, Mass.) singled to right centerfield scoring D'amato and Allenson to put the Owls up 3-0.

Salve would answer in the third inning on a two run home run to left field by Katie Viera (Dartmouth, Mass.) her second of the season. Emily Rodenhiser (Danvers, Mass.) and Sarah Ramsey (Muncy, PA) followed with back to back singles ending the day for the Owls starting pitcher Ashley Clark (Brentwood, NH).  With the Seahawks threatening Courtney Savoie (Stratham, NH) struck out Kristen Danubio (Glen Rock, NJ) to get the Owls out of the jam.

The Owls scored two more in the bottom of the second to increase their lead to 5-2. With one out, Stephanie Lavado (Wallingford, Conn.) singled to right field and Haley Chandler followed with a walk.  Jakiela threw an illegal pitch advancing both runners to second and third. After a strikeout, the illegal pitch was again called by the first base umpire scoring Lavado for the Owls fourth run of the game. Laura Chandler (Wakefield, Mass.) laced a double to left center scoring Haley Chandler increasing the lead to 5-2.

The Seahawks scored their final run of the game in the fourth inning.  Caitlin Poplawski (New Brittain, Conn.) led off with an infield single and Amaran Garbisch (Ghent, NY) reached base on a fielder's choice.  After a wild pitch moved both runners up 60 feet Savoie settled down with two quick outs. Kristen Parolise (Hamden, Conn.) reached on an error scoring Poplawski from third to make it 5-3.

Patnode scored the sixth run of the game off a D'Amato sac fly and Katie Bradford singled up the middle scoring Ashley Annis (Gilford, NH) later in the inning to cap the game at 7-3.

Haley chandler was 1-2 with 2 RBI to lead the Owls and Katie Viera was 1-4 with 2 RBI for the Seahawks.

Courtney Savoie earned the win (11-3) pitching 4.1 innings allowing one hit and one earned run with five strikeouts.  Sarah Jakiela ends the season with the loss (25-18) pitching a complete game. Ashley Clark gave up two runs on six hits striking out one in 2.2 innings of work.