(Box Score) 

            PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Senior pitcher Courtney MacFarland (Hampstead, N.H./Pinkerton) hurled a complete-game victory Thursday afternoon as fifth-seeded Plymouth State University upset second-seeded Keene State College, 2-1, in game two of the 2009 Little East Conference Softball Championship Tournament at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex.

            The Panthers advance to play fourth-seeded Western Connecticut State University in game six of the tournament Friday at 12 noon. WestConn advanced after upsetting third-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University on Thursday, 4-3.  Keene State will play an elimination game with sixth-seeded Southern Maine Thursday at 4:00 p.m.

            Plymouth State took a 1-0 lead in the third inning as freshman second baseman Heather Blase (Milford, N.H.) doubled to left center field and later scored on a fielding error.  Keene State evened the contest up, 1-1, in the fourth as sophomore shortstop Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) blasted a solo homer over the left field fence.

            The Panthers regained the lead in the fifth as junior third baseman Kay Labrie (Somersworth, N.H.) walked and senior designated player Leanne Barry (Auburn, N.H.) was hit by a pitch to open the frame. The pair was sacrificed over to second and third, respectively, with Labrie later scoring on a passed ball.

            Keene State threatened in each of the final three innings, but could not get the tying run across.

            MacFarland allowed just one run on six hits while striking out three, improving her record to 12-7. Keene State freshman pitcher Ashley Clark (Brentwood, N.H.) took the loss (6-4), allowing two runs on two hits, while striking out three in four innings. Freshman Samantha Pratt (West Hartford, Conn.) came on in relief in the fifth. 

(Courtesy of RIC Sports Information) 

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