CAPE CORAL, Fla. - The Western New England College softball team opened its season in impressive fashion Monday by defeating UMass-Boston (6-2) and Framingam State (3-1) at the Cusic Classic.

Freshman centerfielder Toni Hand (Londonderry, NH) homered on the first pitch in her first collegiate at-bat in the second game to lead the Golden Bears. Sophomore second base player Sarah Ganser (Fairfield, CT) had a RBI triple and run.

Sophomore pitcher Alex Paterson (Deep River, CT) had a complete game performance allowing only three hits with three walks and four strikeouts.

In the opener, freshman centerfielder Brenna Fitzgerald (Manchester, NH) went 3-for-3 with two runs and a RBI in her collegiate debut. Sophomore designated player Jackie Card (Greenfield, MA) had two hits in three at-bats along with two runs-batted-in.

Freshman Brittany DeGennaro (Orange, CT) won her first collegiate game allowing three hits and two runs in four innings. She struck out five and walked three. Classmate Laura Bower (Hudson, MA) fanned six and gave up only one hit in three innings to pick-up the save.

Senior first base player Erin Whitcomb (North Walpole, NH) went 3-for-5 in the twinbill with two hits and a RBI in the first game.