SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 5, 2016) – The third-seeded Salve Regina University softball team scored five runs over the first two innings on its way to a 7-0 victory over top-seeded Western New England University this afternoon on day two of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament at Golden Bear Softball Park.

With just three teams remaining in the double elimination tournament, Western New England (23-17) will host Roger Williams (23-18) on Saturday morning at 11 a.m., with the winner advancing to face Salve Regina (23-16). The Seahawks need just one victory to claim the CCC title, while the Golden Bears and Hawks would have to go 3-0 on Saturday to capture the championship.

Western New England was limited to three hits today, as Salve Regina senior Nicole Parry (Quincy, Mass.) and junior Kelsey Boarman (North Dighton, Mass.) both turned in impressive efforts in the circle. Parry tossed the first three innings, allowing three hits and three walks, while Boarman finished the job with four shutout frames of relief.

Western New England junior Gabby Lavinio (Dalton, Mass.) drew three walks out of the leadoff spot, and senior McKenzie Pezze (Albany, N.Y.) also reached base three times with a single and two free passes. Senior Heather Fecteau (Biddeford, Maine) and sophomore Jenn Luba (Plymouth, Conn.) had one hit each for the Golden Bears.

Senior Heidi Grieger (Hyde Park, N.Y.) took the loss for Western New England (15-7) after allowing six runs (three earned) on eight hits over 4.2 innings of work. In two postseason games for the defending champions, Western New England has scored one run in 17 innings.

Salve Regina took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, as the first three Seahawks that came to the plate reached base and junior Kara O'Riley (Acton, Mass.) and freshman Emily Woznick (Sandy Hook, Conn.) each recorded sacrifice flies. 

The visitors took advantage of a pair of Western New England errors in the second to tack on three more runs, with freshman Amanda Riley's (Barrington, N.H.) single up the middle plating a pair before freshman Lindsey Florent (New Bedford, Mass.) added an RBI groundout later in the frame.

Salve Regina scored single runs in the fifth and sixth on homers by Lexi Soucie (No. Easton, Mass.) and Riley, respectively. The Golden Bear offense was never able to find its groove, as the Seahawks claimed a pivotal tournament victory.