Keene, N.H. – The Keene State College softball team (9-9, 2-4 LEC) dropped their home opening double header 8-1 and 8-2 Saturday afternoon to Western Connecticut State University 23-5-1, 5-1 LEC).

Michaela Roche led the visiting Colonials with five RBI on the afternoon, including four on one swing with a grand slam in the second game.

In the first game, the Colonials struck quickly for three runs in the first inning off of starter Mariah Crisp. Julia Bocek got the scoring started with a grounder to second, scoring a runner on a fielder's choice. Erin Biskup then singled to left, scoring two more Colonial runs.

The Owls got one back in the fourth inning to bring the score to 3-1 when Katie Newell singled through the left side, scoring Sara Bracken.

Western Connecticut scored five more runs in the sixth inning, on a solo homer from Michaela Roche, an RBI single from Maegan Rodriguez, a 2-RBI hit by Kristen Sliman, and an infield single off the bat off Jessica Caturano.

Newell and Heather Pelletier both went 2-for-3 on the day with Newell getting the only Owl RBI.

Crisp took the loss for the Owls, going 5.2 innings and allowing all eight runs while striking out seven.

Alle Sabith walked out with a complete game victory, giving up eight hits and only 1 run while striking out five.

Game two remained scoreless until the third inning when Roche clubbed a grand slam to get on the board for WCSU.

The Colonials struck again in the fifth inning when Caturano and Bocek both homered, with Caturano's being a two-run shot.

The Owls quickly responded in the bottom of the fifth with two runs of their own. Christy McGraw singled to the left side, then freshman Kayla Votto hit her first career homer over the fence in left to cut the lead to 7-2.

WCSU added one more in the sixth when Weber singled to short, scoring Wojtkiewicz, who had just stolen second and third in the same at-bat.

Emily Cintorino went the distance for the Colonials, crossing the 100-pitch barrier on her way to giving up nine hits and just two earned runs.

Ashlee McGan was tagged with the loss, giving up five earned in four innings while striking out four.

Keene State heads to Middlebury Sunday for a double header. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00.

Western Connecticut plays again Tuesday on the road at Rhode Island College, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 PM.