SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore right-fielder Christina Farese (Marlborough, MA) knocked in the winning run with a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Western New England College softball team blanked visiting Amherst College 1-0 in a non-league game Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 15).

Junior pitcher Laura Bower (Hudson, MA) tossed a five-hit shutout and struck out 13 while allowing no walks in raising her record to 11-5.

With sophomore second base player Kate Post (Bridgewater, MA) placed on second to start the eighth, junior centerfielder Brenna Fitzpatrick (Manchester, NH) executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Post to third. Farese then delivered the game-winner with a hard drive past first base.

Post prevented a run in the top of the inning with a nice catch moving backward on a pop fly in the sun.

Senior designated hitter Steph Ganser (Fairfield, CT) had two hits as the Golden Bears improved their record to 18-10.

Amherst (8-13) had runners on base in every inning except the second, but stranded eight.

Freshman first base player Samantha Presnal (Belchertown, MA) had a pair of singles while junior third baseman player Holly Trace (Northport, AL) added a two-out double in the seventh.

Sophomore Alexandra Chang-Graham (San Carlos, CA) also pitched a fine game allowing six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.