Babson Park, Mass. – March 30, 2013 – The Springfield College softball team defeated Babson, 2-1, in the first game before a 3-0 setback in the second contest of a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

Babson is now 9-6, 2-1 NEWMAC, and Springfield improves its record to 6-10, 1-1 NEWMAC)

In the opener, Babson plated an unearned run in the bottom of the first, as Catie Funk singled with one aboard, moved to second on a walk, took third on a fielderÂ's choice, and scored on a passed ball. However, that would be all junior righthander Jennifer Joseph would allow the rest of the way as she went all seven innings, allowing on unearned run on only two hits, walking four and striking out seven. The win evened her record at 4-4.

Springfield gave its starter all the run support she would need in the third, as a pair of singles put runners at first and second with one out. Kathleen Conway then fanned the next batter for the second out of the inning, but senior Kelly Blake cracked a single into shallow right-center that was mishandled, allowing both runners to come home with the PrideÂ's lone runs of the day.

Senior Jackie Enos had BabsonÂ's only other hit off Joseph in game one, while Conway suffered the loss despite allowing just one earned runs on five hits, walking none and striking out nine in seven innings of work. Springfield junior Christina Leader was the only player for either side with multiple hits in game one, as she finished 2-for-3 with a run scored.

After the Pride handed the Beavers their first NEWMAC loss of the spring in game one, Megan Brain got the start in game two and held the visitors scoreless through four innings, allowing just three hits along the way. She then surrendered back-to-back singles to start the fifth, but Conway came on in relief and got out of the jam by getting a sacrifice bunt, a pop-out, and a strikeout. It would be the first of three perfect frames for the hard-throwing lefthander, who bounced back to pick up the win after taking the loss in the opener.

While Brain and Conway subdued SpringfieldÂ's offense, Pride junior Ashley Marino did the same to the BeaversÂ' lineup through the first five frames. However, Babson finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth, as junior Christa Shorette led off with a single and Funk followed with a walk. After first-year Caitie Benoit moved both runners up with a sac bunt, Ashleigh Phelps delivered her teamÂ's biggest hit of the day – a three-run shot that bounced off the top of the leftfield wall and carried over for her first home run of the spring. Conway then set the side down in order in the seventh to finish off the 3-0 win.

Phelps and junior Kelly King each had a pair of hits in game two for the Beavers. Brain allowed all five of SpringfieldÂ's hits while allowing no runs and striking out three, and Conway (5-3) retired all nine batters she faced while also fanning three.