Clermont, Florida 3/13/12 – The Keene State College softball team swept Geneseo State and Mount Ida, 4-3 and 16-1, in a doubleheader at the Dot Richardson Tournament in Clermont, Florida on Tuesday morning.

Needing extra innings to defeat Geneseo, the Owls actually had the game won in the bottom of the seventh inning. Trailing 3-2, Laura Chandler (Wakefield, Mass.) started the rally with a triple. Junior Nicole Dupuis (Fitchburg, Mass.) then ripped an RBI single, evening the game at 3-3.

Junior Kayla Joyce (Bridgewater, Mass.) then pinch-ran for Dupuis, and attempted to score on a huge double over the centerfielders head by senior shortstop Katie Bradford (W. Lebanon, N.H.). After scoring what the Owls believed was the game-winning run, Geneseo appealed that Joyce never touched third-base, and won the appeal. While Bradford was off of second base, after what she thought was the game-winning RBI, the Knights tagged out Bradford for the inning-ending double play, forcing extra innings.

"It was one of the craziest things I have ever seen," said KSC head softball coach Charlie Beach.

But the Owls would not be denied, as in the bottom of the eighth, freshman outfielder Katie Newell (Shoreham, N.Y.) hit the game-winning RBI double scoring Bradford, for the 4-3 KSC win.

"That was a crazy game," said Beach. "But I am glad that we came away with the win and I am pleased with the production we are getting from our freshman."

Another freshman who shined for the Owls, pitcher Julia Nolan (Litchfield, N.H.) pitched the final four innings in relief for the Owls, and finished the game with eight strikeouts in her first collegiate win.

"Julia did great down the stretch," said Beach. "And because of all of the substitutions freshman Jade Morrison (Windham, N.H.) was in the game as catcher, so they both played well in a tight game."

In the victory over Mount Ida, the Owls left no doubt, scoring eight runs in the top of the first inning before the Mustangs even hit the batter's box.

Senior hurlers Sara Stocklinski (Newton, N.J.) and Samantha Pratt (West Hartford, Conn.) combined for the victory on the mound for the Owls, with Stocklinski allowing only one hit and striking out five in three innings of work.

Also getting it done at the plate, Pratt and Stocklinski also had two-RBI hits to pace the Owls offense.

Collecting multiple hits, Bradford finished the game 2-for-3, while freshman third baseman Samantha Nitso (Londonderry, N.H.) went 2-for-4 with two RBI's and a triple on the day.

With the pair of victories the Owls improve to 3-1 on the season.

The Owls, who have an off day tomorrow, will hit the hard part of their Florida schedule on Thursday and Friday. They will square off against Messiah and RPI on Thursday. "The last four games are very tough," said Beach. "We have to be ready to play."