Kissimmee, Fla. — March 17, 2011 — The Springfield College softball team closed out its trip to Florida using the combination of great pitching and defense to defeat Utica, 1-0, and Rutgers-Camden, 8-1, on Friday morning at the Rebel Spring Games.

Springfield won its final four games of the week to improve to 6-4.

Ashley Marino continued to dazzle on the mound for Springfield as she hurled a a four-hitter while totaling six strikeouts in the 1-0 win over Utica. With the game scoreless heading into the bottom of the seventh, Amanda Novak led off lacing a single into right field. After the bases were loaded following a sac-bunt, a walk, and a single, pinch-runner Kelsey Dunn scored from third on a passed ball to give the Pride a 1-0 win. Springfield needed just three hits in the contest for the victory.

Springfield’s bats came alive in the 8-1 win over Rutgers-Camden as it pounded out 14 hits. Jen Joseph went the distance in the mound, scattering just three hits while fanning four. Kelly Blake led the offensive charge with a 4-4 performance at the plate, while Liz Milly, Breann Joyce, and Tess Gagliano all recorded two hits each.

The Pride will now fly home and prepare for its New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener on Sunday afternoon at Wheaton. First pitch of the doubleheader will be at 12:00 pm.