FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 13, 2008

RIC SWEEPS KEENE STATE
Neece Earns Win & Save as Anchorwomen Raise LEC Mark to 6-0

Providence, RI—The Rhode Island College softball team swept a doubleheader from Little East Conference rival Keene State at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex this afternoon.

The Anchorwomen (22-4, 6-0) took game one in eight innings, 6-5, while using a three-run sixth frame to take the nightcap, 8-4, from the Owls (11-5, 0-4).

In the first tilt, Keene State jumped out to an early, 1-0, lead in the first inning on senior second baseman Jessica Starkey’s (Keene, NH) one-out solo homer (1). The lead was shortlived, however, as RIC senior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) led off with a double, was sacrificed to second and scored on classmate third baseman Krystal Bilek’s (Fitchburg, MA) crafty infield bunt single.

The Owls took the lead, 2-1, in the third inning as junior third baseman Jenna Patnode (Surry, NH) reached on an error and was plated by classmate designated player Katie Allenson’s (Clifton Park, NY) RBI sacrifice bunt. The Anchorwomen regained the advantage in the home half of the frame as Lotti singled and Bilek doubled to put runners on second and third. Sophomore designated player Cassy Taverna (Bedford, MA) plated both with an RBI single.

Keene State struck back for three runs in the fourth as Patnode, Allenson and Starkey contributed RBI singles off of RIC freshman starting pitcher Melanie Neece (Westfield, MA). The Anchorwomen tied the game, 5-5, in the fifth as freshman second baseman Amanda Perry (New Bedford, MA) belted a two-run double with two outs.

Freshman Amanda Perry

RIC ended the contest in the bottom of the eighth as sophomore right fielder Michelle Perrin (Saugus, MA) hit a flare into center field with the bases loaded for the game-winning hit. Neece earned the victory (12-1), allowing just one earned run on eight hits, while striking out eight. KSC senior pitcher Ashlee Nicholson (Swanzey, NH) took the loss (4-3), allowing six runs on 11 hits, while striking four.

The Anchorwomen took a 2-0 lead in bottom of the first inning in game two as Lotti and Perry scored on RBI ground outs. RIC staked sophomore starting pitcher Jenna Deveines (Lowville, NY) to a 3-1 lead in the third and plated two more in the fourth to increase the advantage to 5-2. Sophomore Jamie Sacco (Bellingham, MA) came on in relief to start the sixth and quickly loaded the bases, surrendering a run on an RBI fielder’s choice by Starkey. Neece came on to close the door, striking out Allenson and senior designated player Mo Scata (Medway, MA).

RIC put the game away in the bottom of the sixth as Perry registered an RBI single and freshman designated player Kayla Jandreau (Plainville, CT) smacked a two-run single. Deveines earned the win (9-2), while Neece picked up her second save. KSC freshman pitcher Jessica Williams (Jaffrey, NH) took the loss (4-2), allowing eight runs on 10 hits.

Jandreau went 5-for-7 with four RBI and two runs scored, while Perry went 4-for-8 with four RBI, three runs scored and a double.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday, Apr. 15, while the Owls will host Plymouth State on Apr. 15.

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