MANSFIELD, Conn.--The Keene State College softball team rallied for a comeback win over the University of Southern Maine but fell to host Eastern Connecticut State University at the Little East Conference tournament on Friday.

Keene State (16-18) will now play Western Connecticut State in an elimination game at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Should KSC win, they will need to defeat host Eastern Connecticut State twice to retain their tournament championship.

Game One: Keene State 5, Southern Maine 3

Mariah Crisp struck out nine in a complete game effort and Jen Galavotti had two RBI as KSC rallied from a 1-0 deficit. 

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when USM's Danni Humphrey hit a solo homerun for a 1-0 lead.

The Owls rallied back for five runs in the top of the fifth.  Caroline McSherry drew a one out walk, and pinch runner Kathleen Remick moved to third on Aliza Guerrero's double down the left field line.  After a fielder's choice cut down Remick at the plate, Guerrero scored on Stephanie Long's single up the middle, and Sara Bracken walked to load the bases. Another USM error brought in Kayla Votto, and Morgan Fallon made it 3-1 with an RBI single up the middle.  Galavotti extended the lead with a single through the left side that brought in a pair of runs.  

A 2-RBI single from Samantha Crosman made it 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth, but Crisp slammed the door shut, getting Taylor Lux to hit into a double play in the sixth.

Game Two: Eastern Conn. State 3, Keene State 0

Tyler Keegan's 2-run homer in the fourth inning was the difference as the Warriors moved into the championship game.

Galavotti and Long had two hits apiece, but the rest of the KSC lineup had none against ECSU starter Erin Miller, who struck out five in a complete game effort.

KSC's best chance to score came in the bottom of the sixth when Long singled through the left side and moved to second on Sara Bracken's sacrifice.  

An error allowed Brittany DaMota to reach and Galavotti had an infield hit to load the bases, but Katie Newell struck out to end the threat.

Crisp went the first four innings and recorded two strikeouts, moving past Lindsey Blood '00 for second place on the Owls' all-time strikeout list with 517.