WESTFIELD, Mass. - The Western New England College softball team scored three times in the first inning and held on for a 9-6 non conference victory over Westfield State Tuesday at Almni Field.

Freshman right-fielder Brenna Fitzgerald (Manchester, NH) led the 12-hit attack by going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs, and run-batted-in.

Sophomore second base player Steph Ganser (Fairfield, CT) also had a big day with a pair of hits, including a three-run homer (her first of the season) in the third inning that gave the Golden Bears a 7-2 lead.

Sophomroe designated player Jackie Card (Greenfield, MA) had two singles and two runs while senior left-fielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) belted a two-run double in the opening frame.

Sophomore Alex Paterson (Deep River, CT) was the winning pitcher allowing only two runs (one earned) in five innings with three walks and three strikeouts. She now has a 4-2 record and 0.89 earned-run-average.

Westfield State, which was making its home opener, made the game close by scoring four runs in the sixth. The Owls fall to 2-9.

Western New England College (11-4) has won all seven games up north since returning from Florida 10 days ago.