Box Score UNION, N.J.--Husson University scored the only run of the game to eliminate Keene State College from the NCAA Division III Softball Championship at Kean University on Sunday morning.
The first three innings were played on Saturday before rain forced a postponement to Sunday morning. KSC's All-Region pitcher Mariah Crisp had a no-hitter through the first five innings, but the Owl bats could not produce any runs despite outhitting Husson 6-3.
KSC had multiple chances to get in the scoreboard. Kayla Votto reached on an infield single in the third, stole second, and moved to third on an error, but was left stranded after a pop-up to third base and a flyout to left. Aliza Guerrero led off the fourth with a bunt single, but was caught stealing second base.
The best chance for the Owls came in the fifth when Rachel Boynton singled down the left field line with one out, and pinch-hitter Anna Glassman singled to left-center to put to go-ahead run in scoring position. Husson pitcher Kayla Merrill got out of trouble by striking out Votto and and induced a fly out to left from Stephanie Long.
Husson broke-up the no-hitter in the sixth when Nicole Andrade led off with a single. The Eagles pushed the winning run across in the top of the seventh when Breanna Martin led off with a double to center and pinch-runner Sarah Babin scored on Jess Poulin's single to left field.
The Owls put the tying run on in the seventh inning when Katie Newell hit a hard single to second base. Andrade got out of trouble by ending the game with a groundout by pinch-hitter Caroline McSherry.
Named to the Regional All-Tournament Team, Crisp finished with nine strikeouts in a three-hit complete game, giving her a Keene State single season record 225 Ks. Heading into her junior year, she needs 106 to become the Owls' all-time leader in strikeouts. Ashlee Nicholson currently holds the record of 532, pitching form 2005-08.
KSC ends the season with a 19-19 record, but returns all nine starters from a team that captured the Little East Tournament Championship as the fifth seed in the tournament.
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