SPRINGFIELD, MA – Sophomore right fielder Christina Farese knocked in the winning run with a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Western New England College softball team blanked visiting Amherst College 1-0 in a non-league game Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 15).

Junior pitcher Laura Bower tossed a five-hit shutout and struck out 13 while allowing no walks in raising her record to 11-5.

With sophomore second base player Kate Post placed on second to start the eighth, junior centerfielder Brenna Fitzpatrick executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Post to third. Farese then delivered the game-winner with a hard drive past first base.

Post prevented a run in the top of the inning with a nice catch moving backward on a pop fly in the sun.

Senior designated hitter Steph Ganser had two hits as the Golden Bears improved their record to 18-10.

Amherst (8-13) had runners on base in every inning except the second, but stranded eight.

First-year first base player Samantha Presnal (Belchertown, MA) had a pair
of singles while junior third base player Holly Trace (Northport, AL) added a two-out double in the seventh.

Sophomore Alexandra Chang-Graham (San Carlos, CA) also pitched a fine
game allowing six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

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