New Haven, Conn. – The Le Moyne College softball team claimed the Southwest Division's fourth seed in the Northeast-10 Conference Championship despite being swept by Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon at Pelz Field. The Owls won the opener, 5-2, to secure the third seed, while posting a 6-2 win in the non-conference nightcap.

With the Owls seeded third and the Dolphins fourth (by virtue of New Haven's loss to Saint Rose), the two teams will square off again on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. in the first round of the Northeast-10 Conference Championship.

The Dolphins struck first in the opener with one run on one hit and two Southern Connecticut errors in the second inning. Sophomore center fielder Sabrina Riley (Deer Park, N.Y./Deer Park) reached on an error by the second baseman and freshman pitcher Alexis Eastman (Endicott, N.Y./Union-Endicott) reached on an error by the left fielder to start the inning. After a bunt single by senior catcher Kristie Capuano (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) to load the bases and an out, junior first baseman Cara Cawley (Endwell, N.Y./Maine-Endwell) grounded out to the shortstop to drive in Eastman.

Southern Connecticut State took the lead in the third inning with three runs on two hits. Left fielder Jaime Conklin singled to the shortstop with one out and then center fielder Sarah Koerner drew a walk. After an out, second baseman Giuliana D'Arcangelo smashed a three-run home run.

Le Moyne cut its deficit in half with one run on two hits in the sixth inning. Cawley led off with a double down the right field line and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore shortstop Courtney Case (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) then singled to left field to plate Cawley.

The Owls pushed their lead to 5-2 in the sixth on two hits and one Le Moyne error. Shortstop Nicole Buch led off with a home run and then D'Arcangelo tripled to right field and came in score on an error by the right fielder.

Eastman dropped to 8-7 on the season after yielding five runs (four earned) on five hits over six innings, while striking out 10. Cawley and Eastman each had two of Le Moyne's six hits. Kelsey Cockrill earned her second win of the series after allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits over seven frames, while striking out a pair.

In the nightcap, the Owls scored three runs three hits in the first inning. D'Arcangelo doubled to right center with two outs and came around to score on a single by designated player Leanna Feerick. Third baseman Kelly Mitchell then drilled a two-run home run.

Southern Connecticut added one run on one hit in the second. Left fielder Samantha Peltier singled with one out and moved all the way to third on an error by the third baseman. Koerner then grounded out to the shortstop to plate Peltier.

The Dolphins cut their deficit in half with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Freshman shortstop Tess Andrews (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) got her team on the scoreboard with her fourth home run of the season with two outs. In the sixth, sophomore designated player Emily Bagley (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) led off with a single to center but was retired at second as Capuano reached on a fielder's choice. After a single to left by senior right fielder Jillian Jacinth (West Babylon, N.Y./Babylon), Capuano scored from second as Cawley reached on an error by the first baseman.

The Owls scored twice on three hits and a Le Moyne error in the bottom of the sixth. Designated player Arianne Tedeschi doubled to right center with one out and scored on a double with two outs by catcher Danielle Piazza. Coleman then singled to left fielder and advanced to second on a throwing error by the left fielder, which allowed pinch-runner Heather Jackson to score the game's final run.

Junior Toni Secreti (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Westhill/Herkimer C.C.) yielded six runs (four earned) on seven hits over six innings to take the loss, while striking out four. Jessica Van Alphen recorded her second victory of the series by tossing four scoreless innings, while striking out five.

Le Moyne (18-15, 10-10 NE-10, 9-9 SW) closed out the regular season with losses in six of its last eight games.