CLERMONT, FLA.  3/16/12 – The Keene State College softball team demonstrated its versatility on Friday, posting a 1-0 pitcher's duel victory over Ithaca College and a 14-9 slugfest win over Wisconsin-Superior at the Dot Richardson tournament in Clermont, Fla.  The Owls complete their Spring Week trip with an impressive 7-1 record. 

"We chose to play a more difficult schedule in Florida because we needed the experience of playing tougher teams," said KSC Coach Charlie Beach.  "We got quality wins against quality opponents."

Hits were hard to come by in the Owls' opening game against Ithaca, ranked 20th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Poll.   Keene State has two hits, a single by senior Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) in the first and a double by junior Nicole Dupuis (Fitchburg, Mass.) in the second.  The Bombers managed just one hit, a single by sophomore Rachel Dell'Orto in the first inning. 

The game was decided by the tie-breaking format.  Ithaca got a runner to third with one out in the top of the eighth, but she was left stranded after junior Lindsey Johnson struck out and freshman Nicole Ciricillo grounded out to end the threat.

KSC put freshman Samantha Nitso (Londonderry, N.H.) on second to start the bottom of the inning.  When Freshman Katie Newell (Shoreham, N.Y.) attempted to bunt her over to third, the Ithaca catcher threw the ball past their first baseman allowing Nitso to score the game-winning run.

Senior Sara Stocklinski (Newton, N.J.) had another fine outing for the Owls, tossing five and two-thirds innings of one-hit ball with five strikeouts and two walks.  Freshman Julia Nolan (Weare, N.H.) pitched the final two and a third innings to get her third win (3-0) of the trip.  She fanned four and issued a walk. 

"It's wonderful to play very competitive softball against a high-quality team," said Beach.  "The game could've gone either way.  It shows that we can play with anyone in the country."

It was the first meeting between the two teams since the 2000 season.

The Owls had their hitting shoes on in their second game against Wisconsin-Superior, banging out 15 hits in the victory. 

Keene State didn't waste any time, taking a 3-0 lead in the first inning that included an RBI triple to right field by Bradford.  The Owls got two more runs in the second on a sacrifice fly by Stocklinski with another run coming home on a wild pitch.

Senior Maura Bergan (Manchester, Conn.) had a RBI double and Newell knocked in a run with a single through the right side pushing Keene State's lead to 7-1 in the top of the third.  The Yellow Jackets scored four runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the Owls' lead to 7-5.

KSC got two runs back in the fourth. Senior Laura Chandler (Wakefield, Mass.) had a RBI triple and Dupuis delivered a run-scoring double to right making it 9-5.

The Owls put the game away with a four-run sixth inning that featured a bases-clearing double to left center by Bergan.

Bradford and Laura Chandler led the hit parade with three hits each while junior Jessica Fiorenza (Wakefield, Mass.), Bergan and Newell each finished the game with two hits.

Senior Emily Albin (Bethel, Conn.) started for the Owls and picked up her first win (1-1) of the season. She went five and a third innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits with six strikeouts.  Senior Samantha Pratt (Bristol, Conn.) struggled in her one and two-thirds innings in the circle, giving up four runs and five hits.  Nolan came in to get the final out.

Beach said one of the keys to the teams' successful trip was the contribution of the newcomers.  "It shows how much the seniors have helped the newcomers out, showing them the ropes and what they need to do to play Keene State softball," he said.  

With the mild winter, the Owls are scheduled to begin their New England schedule on time with a home doubleheader against Springfield College on March 27.  "It will be very unusual to start on time," said a cautiously optimistic Beach.