It’s that time of year again when the seniors are handing in their final assignments, taking their last tests and finally finishing that degree they’ve been working on for the last four years. An additional right of passage for many students, whether it’d be high school or college, is the opportunity to decorate their graduation cap.

Not only serving as an easy way for your family to pick you out in the large mass of black gowns, decorating your cap can be an exciting way to add personality to the big day. While some have probably been planning their design since the day they got their acceptance letter, others will still be waiting for the hot glue to dry as they run to the ceremony.

Samantha Moore / Art Director

In previous years, Keene State College (KSC) students were not allowed to decorate their graduation caps. Graduating senior Danielle Cobleigh started a petition for other seniors, like herself, to be able to decorate their cap how they please.

Graduating senior and volleyball captain Brooke Hatanaka was excited to have the opportunity to decorate her cap.  When Hatanaka graduated in 2013 from Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, she wasn’t allowed to decorate her cap.  “I think it’s a really great idea. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to decorate it here at Keene. I feel like I’ve accomplished so much here these past four years, from playing volleyball to accomplishing and surviving [a] mathematics degree,” Hatanaka said.

She continued, “I just want to show how proud I am and give thanks to everyone that supported me through college.”

Senior Marissa DePolo, is involved in many different things on the campus of Keene State College (KSC). She’s involved in Student Government, Phi Sigma Sigma, First-Year Orientation, an employee of the Young Student Center, cardiac research for the biology department, Order of Omega, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She said she thinks decorating graduation caps is a great idea.

“I think that decorating the caps is an awesome idea because it gives students a way to express themselves beyond sashes and cords, which every student may not have or choose to have. I think it is also a fun way for students to display their time at Keene and where they will be going and what they will be doing post-graduation,” DePolo said.

She continued, “I would also like to give a shout out to Danielle Cobleigh for petitioning for this change and working so hard to make it happen and Student Government for being cap monitors during commencement.”

In an e-mail sent out to seniors, Cobleigh stated the following:

Graduating Seniors:

For those of you who do not know us, we are Laura Graham (Student Body President), Danielle Cobleigh (Student Body Vice President) and Noah Macri (Senior Class President). Commencement is upon us and we are very excited to announce that this year, seniors will be able to decorate our caps at commencement. We have put a lot of work into making this an option and we would truly appreciate your support and cooperation with this. There are guidelines  that need to be followed to honor the importance of commencement. We will have people checking caps during line-up on the morning of Commencement. If something is deemed inappropriate, you will be asked to  immediately remove it and you will be provided a new cap to wear. There is to be no fighting with the  people checking caps on whether something is appropriate; it is up to their discretion, so please use your best judgment when decorating your caps. Please do not make us regret our decision to propose this to the president and cabinet of the school. You guys spoke, we listened and we made it happen. Please follow the guidelines below so that future graduating class’ will also have this privilege.

Cap Decorating Suggestions:

*Highlighting your participation in Student Organizations, Sport Teams, Majors, etc on campus.

*Your future plans

*Appropriate quotes about graduation

*Fun and appropriate things celebrating.

Please Refrain from:

*Profanity

*Alcohol/ References

*Drug References

*Sexual Innuendos

*Anything you would not want your family members or those of your peers to see.

Please remember that words matter. Let’s represent ourselves withdignity and respect for all! If anyone has questions, please feel free to e-mail any of us!

Sincerely,

Laura Graham

Danielle Cobleigh

Noah Macri, Student Body President

Student Body VP Class of  2017 President

“A lot of seniors were talking about how it sucked that  weren’t able to allowed to decorate our caps [in high school] , so I brought it up to the senior class eboard and found that they had heard the same things from people,” Cobleigh said.

She continued, “I brought it up to President Huot at one of her meetings with the Student Gov. executive board and she told me to write a formal proposal and take it to the Student Assembly. If they endorsed it, she and the cabinet would consider it.”

Cobleigh wrote a proposal and received both the Student Assembly’s endorsement, along with the senior class eboards endorsement. “We gave it to the president and the cabinet. Then we got approved,” Cobleigh said. However, the only way the students would be able to decorate their caps is if there was a list of guidelines all students had to follow, Cobleigh added. 

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

To the fellow graduates of 2017,

Senior year of high school, you begin applying to colleges. You tour numerous schools, examining each campus— their size, beauty and potential.

You do your research on their majors and programs, making sure their food is good and making sure the campus community is the perfect fit for you. After looking into all of this, you design your path for the next four years.

Samantha Moore / Art Director

Four years turned into just a few days pretty quickly. It’s hard to believe we have to pack up all of our things and leave the wonderful world of Keene State College (KSC).

It seems like it was just yesterday when we were walking down Appian Way in what was the most uncomfortable “walk-in” ceremony that we have all been a part of.

When people say, “It goes by fast,” they weren’t lying. Here we are Class of 2017. We’ve made it. The white fences have been set up, the chairs are in place and our graduation gowns are waiting to be taken off the hangers.

This is the time for us to remember, reflect and celebrate the times we’ve had at KSC.

We can’t dwell on the tests, papers and labs that we’ve failed, the late night Dominos calls or the countless hours we’ve spent at the bars. We can’t think about the chances we should’ve taken or the things we shouldn’t have done that one night.

This time is to reflect on all the greatness we as a class have created throughout our four years. We have to remember the feeling of our first day at Keene State College (KSC), the moment when we opened the door to our own, very first dorm room.

The first night out and stopping at Ramunto’s for your single slice of late night pizza.

The moment you reached the summit of Mount Monadnock for the very first time and the view was nothing but amazing.

We’ve survived countless hours of homework, studying and professors we’ve loved and, oppositely, didn’t quite get along with.

We’ve stood in lines that wrapped around the corner just trying to get into Cobblestone Ale House and Lab N’ Lager, whether it was through rain or shine.

We can never forget the day the Boston Red Sox won the 109th World Series and the car that was flipped in the commuter parking lot.

We’ve lived through not one, but two famous Keene, New Hampshire, Pumpkin Festivals.

It’s hard to grasp that you won’t be saying hello to the people you would normally see every day.

We have something special here at KSC, whether you’re on a sports team, in a club or just having fun with your friends; we’re all a part of this community.

We’re about to turn the page and move on to the next chapter in our lives. We will all embark on a new journey.  Saturday, we will retire as students and become alumni.

I’m lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of Keene State College (KSC). We’ve all experienced it together.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

The Keene State College (KSC) Department of Athletics and Recreation handed out its annual awards at the Senior Athletics Awards Banquet in the Mabel Brown Room on Sunday, April 30.

All photos about are contributing photos from the Keene State Athletics department

The following seniors were recognized as members of the Senior All-Academic team for carrying a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or better.

Athletes of the Year

Field Hockey forward Sami Smith was named as the Senior Female Athlete of the Year. From Merrimack, New Hampshire, Smith was the Little East Conference (LEC) Rookie of the Year as a first-year and the LEC Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior.

All photos about are contributing photos from the Keene State Athletics department

A Second Team All-LEC Player as a first-year and sophomore, she received First Team All-LEC accolades her junior and senior season, and holds both the career and single season records for goals and points, while ranking in the top 10 in school history in a host of other categories. A two-time All-American, she led her teams to four straight LEC regular season and tournament championships and four trips to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament, reaching the second round three times.

Swimmer Ryan Boraski was named the Senior Male Athlete of the Year. A native of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, Boraski finished his career as a nine-time All-American and a two-time honorable mention All-American. He owns or shares the school record in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 individual medley, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay.

All photos about are contributing photos from the Keene State Athletics department

Senior Scholar-Athletes

Jeff Lunn was the recipient of the Male Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. A Nashua, New Hampshire, native, Lunn is a two-sport athlete majoring in physical education. As a member of the men’s basketball team, he won two LEC tournament titles, reaching the NCAA tournament three times, including the national quarterfinals in 2017, while he has turned into a reliable reliever for the KSC baseball team.

Twin sisters Katelyn and Lindsey Terry received the Female Senior Scholar-Athlete Award. The natives of Strafford, New Hampshire, both majoring in film production, were key components of the women’s cross-country team that won the LEC championship in each of their four years at Keene State and reached the NCAA Championships their junior year.

National Strength & Conditioning Association Awards

Seniors Timothy Coppinger (baseball) and Stephanie D’Annolfo (women’s basketball) received National Strength & Conditioning Association awards for their dedication in the weight room.

For the fifth consecutive season, the Keene State College (KSC) men’s lacrosse team finished with a perfect (7-0) record in the Little East Conference (LEC). The Owls soared past Eastern Connecticut State University on Friday, April 28 at the Owl Athletic Complex. The Owls celebrated 12 seniors along with their 28-6 win.

Senior Robert Hart and senior Bryan Rotatori each had four goals, while Hart added one assist and Rotatori had two. Senior Tyler Reilly found the back of the net three times and had two assists.

Eastern Connecticut had an early lead in the beginning of the first quarter. The Warriors put 2-0 on the board with back to back goals from Ed Moran and Nick Biasetti. Keene State quickly evened the score when Reilly connected with junior Paul Beling and Rotatori. The Owls would scored four more unanswered goals earning a 6-2 lead as the time ran out in the first quarter.

The Owls continued to outscore Eastern Connecticut in the second quarter. The Owls netted six goals. Hart added his first of the night and Reilly and Rotatori both received two goals, pushing KSC into a double-digit lead. Eastern Connecticut would only find the back of the net two more times before time expired. The Owls remained in the lead 12-4 at halftime.

Both teams traded goals while opening up the third quarter, but the Owls finished off the quarter with a 6-1 run to remain on top. At the end of the third the Owls were up 20-7. Just one more goal would be added for Eastern in the fourth quarter. Keene State finished on top 26-8. Keene State has now won nine straight contests and extended its LEC regular season conference win-streak to 40 games, with their last conference loss occurring in 2012.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

The Keene State College (KSC) Athletic Department sent in for  Beverly & Associates to come in and evaluate the department. Over a span of two days in March,  Beverly & Associates met with every constituent on the campus, said Director of Athletics and Recreation Kristene Kelly.

Beverly & Associates was led by Dr. Sharon Beverly. Sharon Beverly, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized leader with over 25 years of excellence in higher education. She owns the distinction of Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Female Administrator of the Year (Vassar College), State and Conference Coach of the Year (Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), NCAA Division I) and Assistant Coach for the United States Olympic Festival. A member of the Hall of Fame at FDU and Queens College, Beverly is often sought out for her insight, vision and strategic approach to athletics. She earned her doctoral degree in leadership for higher education from Capella University and possesses both faculty and administrative experience. Beverly has served as President for the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), as well as chair for several NCAA committees, including the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Dr. Beverly is also a certified life coach.

Samantha Moore/ Equinox Staff

Alongside with Beverly was Dr. Denisha Hendricks. Denisha L. Hendricks, Ed.D., is a recipient of the 2012 Auburn University Young Alumni Achievement Award. She holds over 16 years of distinguished experience in academics and athletics and has served on a wide range of NCAA committees, including the Division II Management Council and Academic Requirements. Hendricks also served on the Board of Directors for Division II Athletic Directors Association. Pursued for her forward thinking style and highly focused academic tactics, Hendricks is credited with presentations and publications from local to international levels, including peer reviewed journal articles, quantitative instruments and health promotion training manuals. She earned her doctoral degree in higher education administration from Auburn University.

Kelly believed that both of these women had “huge grasps and knowledge of athletics as a whole.”

All of the Keene State College (KSC) coaches had individual sessions with them, followed by a group session. Beverly & Associates also met with the business office, human resources and alumni affairs. “They met with everyone,” Kelly said.

Certain areas were able to meet with Beverly & Associates for one hour and a half, whereas others were only able to get between 15 minutes and 45 minutes. Each of the 13 head coaches wanted to be able to have their own session and the evaluation took place over a two-day span. The coaches were only allowed 15 minutes.

Restructure 

All of the coaches within Keene State Athletics have a secondary duty “For example,” Kelly said, “Our baseball coach [Ken Howe], he is in charge of all of our game operation for every sport. So when he’s in season, it’s hard for him to manage all of that, so one of their [the company] recommendations was basically doing ‘seasoned’ type of coaches, so it’s still taking the same amount of money that we have [but] just reorganizing it better. “

Every contract for a head coach is different, Kelly said, “We’re really trying to make a more consistent processes as it relates to all of our head coaches,” she said.

One area that needed work in athletics was its compliance. A compliance officer is an employee whose responsibilities include ensuring the company complies with its outside regulatory requirements and internal policies. “Compliance, for example, my predecessor John Ratliff, was the athletic director and did compliance,” Kelly said.

Kelly said that taking on both roles can be a lot to handle. “Once he [Ratliff] left and Kemal Atkins was the Interim Athletic Director, it left a void in compliance. Abe Osheyack was gracious enough to step in and be the Sports Information Director (SID) and do compliance, which is what he’s been doing for two years… That can’t happen.”

The restructuring for athletics is vital. “We really need to restructure. One of their recommendations [Beverly & Associates] is to hire a full-time compliance coordinator or compliance director because right now, Abe is just doing way too much. I’m not saying anything falls through the cracks, but the chances of something falling through the cracks are huge.”

Facility Changes

Another topic of discussion brought up by Beverly & Associates  was that there is no facility for the track and field team to compete at. “That was on of their recommendations from a facility standpoint. “We basically need to build a track or some sort of field house with a track within it so that our track team can compete,” Kelly said.

Not only would a field house be beneficial to the track and field team, but it would provide a play to practice and compete for all of the spring sports. “So they have a place to practice and compete, like lacrosse when it gets too cold, they’re not having to shovel the snow off and that type of thing,” Kelly said.

Senior Conor Leahy is one of the many student-athletes a part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) run by Head Softball Coach Carrah Fisk Hennessey. When it comes to the facility, Leahy said there should be fundraising for either a new facility or to update it.

“We should definitely focus on certain things in the facility,” Leahy said, “like the pool and weight room size. It really comes down to funding the project for a completely new facility for varsity athletics. I know it would cost a lot of money, but it would go a long way for the athletics department in the future.”

Leahy said he believes that athletics is doing well after just hiring a new athletic director this year. “I think right now, the athletics department is doing pretty well, especially because we did not have an athletic director until the beginning of this year. I think more communication between the coaches and players is something. Making sure the players know what’s going on behind the scenes would be helpful,” Leahy said.

Leahy doesn’t see any issues inside of the athletics department. “I think Kristene Kelly has done a tremendous job stepping in as our athletic director. She has great ideas for the athletic department. I think she has done a great job meeting and communicating with coaches and athletes. She is very supportive and her door is always open for us to go to her if we have any problems. I expect great things to come in the future for the athletic department,” Leahy said.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

The Keene State College (KSC) baseball team got swept by the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston in both games of a Little East Conference (LEC) doubleheader, 3-1 and 7-1, at the Owl Athletic Complex on Saturday, April 22.

Game one

Keene State got six hits, despite their strong outing from the ace Michael Crimi. The Beacons scored all of their runs in the fourth inning, getting an RBI fielder’s choice from Charlie Heugi and a two-run single from Dan Mantoni.

Shelby Iava/ Sports Editor

Keene State finally got on the board in the eighth inning. Zach Rollins led off with a single and Connor Longley launched a fly ball to the right. UMass Boston outfielder Danny Brown made an attempt at the ball, with confusion as to whether he caught it or not. Longley passed Rollins on the basepath, negating what would have been a two-run homer instead turning it into an RBI single. Keene State had the tying run at the plate with two outs in the ninth after pinch hitter David Sevigny was hit by a pitch, but Mac Struthers bounced into a fielder’s choice to end the game. Rollins and Longley finished with two hits for Keene State. Crimi (4-2) took the loss, striking out seven in 8.2 innings of work.

Game two 

The Owls had 10 hits, but left 13 runners on in the second game. A balk and a fielder’s choice brought in two runs in the second for UMass Boston, which added two more on an RBI triple from Nick Herzog.

The Owls had the bases loaded with two in the sixth, but Nate Rossi struck out at the end. Tom Meucci walked and scored on Rollins’ single in the seventh inning. Longley followed with a walk, but Connor Walsh grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. UMass Boston added three more runs in the eighth on a wild pitch and an error.

Tim Coppinger (0-4) took the loss, allowing four runs in three innings of work, and Nate Pederson scattered four hits in 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. Longley and Christian Bourgea both had three hits for Keene State.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

The Keene State College (KSC)  softball team was swept by Eastern Connecticut State University, 7-4 and 9-7, on Senior Day at Owl Athletic Complex.

Game one

Two homers from senior Jenny Galavotti and sophomore Molly St. Germain kept the owls in, and received just two hits for a 7-4 setback.

Kristyn Ryan gave the Warriors an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when her fly ball went to the left and bounced off the fence and over for a home run solo. Keene State quickly responded when St. Germain drew a one out walk in the bottom of the inning. Galavotti followed up with her seventh home run of the season to the right field and received a 2-1 lead.

Shelby Iava/ Sports Editor

The Warrior’s Samantha Bardos’ single up the middle in the top of the third tied the game. Samantha Valentine put the Warriors back in the lead with an RBI groundout and Jessica Seymour made it 4-2 with a single to left field.

The score stayed 4-2 until the bottom of the fifth, when Senior Kayla Votto lead off with a single, and St. Germain followed with her first homerun of the season. The Owls would load the bases, as Galavotti and Brooke Arruda walked on either side of a single from Olivia Indorf, but Brittany DaMota struck out and Shae Crosby hit into a fielder’s choice.

The warriors scored a go-ahead run in the top of the seventh as Sara Pisanelli singled with two out, and Bardos lofted a fly into deep center that couldn’t be obtained and Bardos raced around the bases for an inside-the-park-homerun. Ryan followed with her second longshot of the game, ending it at 7-4.

St. Germain (10-8) took the loss, striking out two in a complete game effort.  Pisanelli, Bardos, and Ryan all finished with two hits for the Warriors.

Game two

The Warrior again too an early lead with RBI singles from Ryan and Gina Georgetti in the first. The Owls again responded as Votto led off with a single and scored all the way from first on Galavotti’s double to right-center.

Senior Aliza Guerrero hit a double of her own to deep left to bring Galavotti to tie the game. A pair of Keene State errors allowed the Warriors another run in the top of the second, but KSC tied again in the bottom of the half as Gabby Bielak double and scored on Votto’s single to right.

The Warriors scored in every inning but the seventh and added another run in the third and two more more in the fourth, but the Owls batted around in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-6 lead. Kristin Boduch reached on a fielder’s choice, Votto singled and St. Germain walked to load the bases for Galavotti who stroke a 2 RBI single up in the middle.

Pinch runner Julie Elwell stole second and Indof aid down a bunt to bring St Germain before a dropped fly by the Warriors brought in Elwell as the Owls took the lead. The Warriors tied it back up in the fifth inning. Seymour singled, moved to third on a pair of groundouts and scored on a wild pitch. Eastern then took the lead for good when Bardos homered over the trees in left center, a two-run shot after Pisanelli had walked.

Votto finished the game 4-for-4 with an RBI and scored twice, while Galavotti drove in three runs where every KSC starter reached base.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

Chelsea Lewis found a new home at the nest of Keene State College (KSC) after transferring from the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Lowell.

Lewis came to KSC to play the sport she loved– lacrosse. The sophomore midfielder left UMass Lowell because she said it wasn’t the right fit for her. “The school in general and the coaching style wasn’t the style that works best for me and how I learn, so it was just better for me to leave,” said Lewis.

According to Lewis, playing time was a big part of deciding if she should stay or leave. “Do I go to a D1 [Division 1] school where I spend literally 40 hours a week practicing and not playing and get nothing out of it, or do I go somewhere where I can play and can contribute to a team?” said Lewis. Lewis said her parents were the ones who pushed her into making the decision to leave UMass Lowell. “They were one of the biggest factors because I was determined to go back [to UMass Lowell] and prove that I could play or at least try to,” said Lewis.

Jacob Paquin/ Equinox Staff

It didn’t bother Lewis that she was going to be a D3 [Division 3] athlete opposed to a D1 athlete, she said. “I knew it was going to be different because of the hours, but I don’t really think about being D1 or D3. In high school when I started looking for schools to play lacrosse for, I never said it must be D1. I just got a scholarship so I ended up at Lowell,” said Lewis.

She didn’t make the decision to leave UMass Lowell until a month into this past summer. She met up with KSC Women’s Lacrosse Head Coach Katie Arsenault during the summer and Lewis instantly knew she wanted to come to KSC. “I feel like I can go to her [Arsenault] if I ever had a problem outside of lacrosse and talk to her about anything. She’s always there for me and I don’t know if I felt that at Lowell,” said Lewis.

Arsenault said Lewis has done a great job on learning how to work with the team, which has helped her contribute more as a player. “She has taken focus off just scoring, to setting up the motion for the offense, seeing the passes she can make to assist others scoring, as well as her work in transition both cutting to the ball and defending so we get it back,” said Arsenault. Lewis constantly wants to improve and has a positive, confident attitude as well, said Arsenault.

Lewis was surprised at how welcoming the team was. “The team was very welcoming to me and supportive on teaching me new things. I was surprised because with a team of girls, you never know if they’re going to be cliquey,” Lewis said.

KSC junior Taylor Farland said Lewis is a huge offensive force for the Owls. “She has grown so much as a player in this one season she has been here. She has really good stick skills and has really developed great field vision, which helps her to make the best decisions for the team,” Farland said.

She continued, “She will get the ball in front of the goal and know what to do with it, and it’s nice to be able to have trust in a first-year player like that. She has had a great first season at Keene and I’m very excited to see what she is going to bring to the team in her next couple of seasons here.”

Lewis said the biggest difference is the dynamic on the team. “Everyone here wants you to be the best you can be, everyone is willing to help you and work together. It wasn’t like that at Lowell. At a D1 school, everyone is on scholarships, so you fight for your positions and here, nobody does. Here at Keene, everyone wants to win, but win as a team,” said Lewis.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

Adriana Sanchez can be contacted at asanchez@kscequinox.com

UMass Dartmouth 

The Keene State College baseball team came close in a pair of Little East Conference (LEC) games, 5-3 and 8-7 at UMass Dartmouth, Saturday April 8.

Game 1

Michael Crimi had yet another strong pitching game, and went for naught as the Owls gave up a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Crimi (3-1) tossed his fourth and final complete game of the season, striking out nine in eight. Mac Struthers and Devin Springfield each had three hits, and Connor Longley had two.  The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when UMass Dartmouth took a 2-0 lead on a two-out, two-run home run.  The Owls cut the lead in half at the top of the seventh when Struthers singled up in the middle and moved to second, before scoring on Longley’s single.  UMass Dartmouth had a 3-1 lead, but the Owls tied the game in the top of the eighth. John Tarascio had a one-out walk and scored on Springfield’s double to left-center field.  Springfield took third on the throw to the place and touched home on Tom Meucci’s single to right-center field. UMass took the lead back in the bottom of the inning as two players singled with one out before they could score on a passed ball and on a wild pitch. UMass took the first win 5-3.

Game 2

Tarascio was 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI’s and Samuel Czel also went deep, but the Owls fell short in the top of the ninth. UMass Dartmouth jumped out with a 5-0 lead in the first inning. The Corsairs homered off of Andrew Houde.

Tim Coppinger relieved Houde and got the next two players up to bat out. The Owls hit two homers of their own in the top of the second. Christian Bourgea singled through the right side with one out before Tarascio went deep off of the Corsairs’ pitcher. Meucci singled to set the table for Czel, who slammed his first home run of the year over left field.  UMass led the bottom of the second with a solo shot to left, but the Owls tied in the top of the third when Tarascio had a 2-RBI single to right-center field. UMass went ahead in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single.

Walsh led off the eighth inning by reaching on an error and a wild pitch, which put pinch runner Zach Rollins into scoring position. Tarascio singled him over to third, but Springfield hit into an inning, ending a 4-3 double play. The Owls brought home one run in the ninth as Meucci led off with an infield single to shortstop and moved up to second when Czel was hit by a pitch. Struthers hit into a fielder’s choice and an error brought in Meucci. Rossi hit into another fielder’s choice and Longley grounded out to shortstop in the inning.

No. 8 Tufts

While being on the road for the fourth time in three days, the Keene State Owls fell short to the No. 8 Tufts University 10-2 on Sunday, April 9. Christian Bourgea had three hits and Zach Rollins hit his second home run of the year.  A six-run third inning gave Tufts the lead. Keene State got on the board in the fifth when Nate Rossi was hit by a pitch and Rollins got a home run for the second time in eight days.  Tufts added three more runs in the sixth and another in the eighth. The Owls had a runner in scoring position in the ninth when Bourgea and David Sevigny both singled, but Rossi flew out to center and Rollins stuck out.

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com

Game 1

KSC softball split in the Little East Conference (LEC) opener against the University of Southern Maine on Sunday, April 9 at the Owl Athletic Complex. Senior Kayla Votto had two hits and two RBIs, while Olivia Indorf had a pair of hits. Molly St Germain threw a complete game with six hits and six strikeouts.

The Owls took the first point on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning when Votto beat out an infield single and moved to second on an illegal pitch. Jenny Galavotti had a single up in the middle to bring her around.

Shelby Iava/ Sports Editor

The scored remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth, when the Huskies touched St Germain for three runs. Southern Maine had a one-out single and moved to third. The Huskies had the bases loaded before they singled in a pair of runs with a hit through the right side, while the Huskies scored.

Keene State scored and tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to Mikayla Pacy’s hit. Kristin Boduch reached on a fielder’s choice and Pacy moved up as an errant throw from Southern Maine pulled second baseman Taylor Lux off of the bag. Votto followed with a double to deep center to bring both runners home. The Owls won in the bottom of the seventh as Southern Maine’s reliever Haeli Campbell issued walks to Votto, Brittany DaMota and Galavotti to open the inning. Indorf lofted a sacrifice fly to straight center field, while Votto ran home.

Game 2

The University of Southern Maine (USM) started Amber Kelly, who held the Owls to just six hits, and the Owls were shutout just for the second time this season. The Huskies doubled in a pair of runs in the top of the first that put them in the lead for good.

USM singled another run in the fourth and added two more runs in the fifth. The Owls’ best attempt to score was in the second inning when Aliza Guerrero singled, stole second and moved to third on Shae Crosby’s groundout, but Allie Canavan struck out and Pacy’s ground ball back to the pitcher left Guerrero stranded.

The Huskies errored in the bottom of the third, which allowed Votto to get to second, but she was caught stealing third. Votto hit a double to left-center in the sixth, but then again was left in scoring position when DaMota flew out to center to end the inning.

Indorf (0-2) took the loss going into the first four innings and notched one strikeout. Summer Cavanaugh threw one inning to relief and then St Germain came back to throw the final two innings..

Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com