SOFTBALL SPLITS AT SAINT MICHAEL'S

COLCHESTER, Vt. - The Bryant softball split a two-game NE-10 Conference doubleheader at Saitn Michael's on Monday afternoon.  The Bulldogs dropped the opener 1-0 but came back to win the second 9-1.

In game one, Saint Michael's Meggan Roberge fired a one-hitter to improve to 20-5 on the season. She walked three, hit a batter, and with her seventh and final strikeout in the last inning, eclipsed her own single-season record for strikeouts with 182. The Purple Knights managed just four hits, but received the only run they'd need on senior Whitney Christmas' first home run of the season with one out in the second inning. Christmas also singled in the win, while junior Elizabeth Pigeon and sophomore Casey Brooks provided the other Purple Knight hits.

For Bryant, senior Diane Cummings broke up the no-hit bid with a clean single to center field in the fifth inning. Freshman Janine Enos suffered the hard-luck loss, allowing just two walks while recording four strikeouts.

In game two, senior Deidre Kittredge's grand slam capped a six-run fourth inning as the Bulldogs closed their regular-season with a convincing win. Bryant pounded out 11 hits in the nightcap, as all but one player in the starting lineup recorded a hit, while eight different players scored. Cummings, senior Carly Muise and freshman Jessica Valentini all singled twice to pace the Bulldogs, while Cummings earned the victory on the mound, allowing one unearned run in five innings pitched.

For Saint Michael's, Brooks singled twice and scored on an error in the first inning. Pigeon added a double to aid the Purple Knights' six-hit attack, while freshman Jill Dalfonso suffered her first career loss, pitching the first four innings before yielding to junior Raina Jensen.

Bryant will enter the postseason as either the second or third seed of the conference tournament.