New Haven, Conn. – Kelsey Cockrill threw a one-hit shutout in the first game and Jayme Larson struck out eight batters in the nightcap to lead 22nd-ranked Southern Connecticut State to a doubleheader sweep of the Le Moyne College softball team on Tuesday afternoon at Pelz Field. The Owls won the opener, 8-0, in six innings and took the nightcap, 5-1.

In the opening game, the Owls got the only run they would need as center fielder Brittany Bucko blasted a home run to left field to lead off the first inning. Shortstop Nicole Buch followed by drawing a walk and moved to third on a double by first baseman Kristin Whitley. Third baseman Alyssa Downs then singled to drive in Buch and push Whitley to third. After an out, designated player Jessica Rosa singled to left field to knock in Whitley.

In the fourth inning, Southern Connecticut State added three runs on three hits. Bucko led off with a single to left and proceeded to steal second. After a Buch single and an out, Downs launched a home run over the fence in left field.

The Owls won the game via the "mercy rule" by scoring twice on one hit and a Le Moyne error in the sixth inning. Bucko walked, stole second and moved to third as Whitley reached on an error by the second baseman. Following an out, second baseman Kate Hoffmann doubled to drive in Whitley and Bucko and end the game.

Sophomore Sarah Harrison (Cobleskill, N.Y./Cobleskill-Richmondville) took the loss after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits over five and two-thirds innings pitched. Cockrill earned the victory after striking out five batters in her one-hit performance.

In the nightcap, the Owls scored twice in the first inning on three hits. Bucko drilled another lead-off home run to start the frame. Two batters later, Whitley doubled to right center and came around to score on a two-out single by Hoffmann.

Southern Connecticut State increased its lead with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the third. Buch singled up the middle and Whitley walked to open the inning. Downs followed with a single to drive in Buch. Hoffmann then singled to knock in Whitley and move Downs to third. Following an out, left fielder Julie Muscarella singled to plate Downs.

Le Moyne scored its run on two hits in the fourth inning. Freshman second baseman Kristie Capuano (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) singled to right with one out, moved to second on a single up the middle by senior shortstop Barb Shea">Barb Shea (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) and then stole third. After an out, Capuano raced home on a wild pitch.

Harrison took the loss after yielding five runs over six innings in the circle. Shea went 3-for-3 to account for half of Le Moyne's hits.Larson earned her seventh win of the year after giving up just six hits.

Le Moyne (4-16, 0-2 NE-10), which has been swept by the Owls each of the last four years, opens its home schedule on Saturday against Assumption at 12:00 p.m.