Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--The Western New England University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader with Wesleyan University Tuesday afternoon at "Golden Bear Park," losing the first game 1-0 before rebounding to win the second game by the same score. The Golden Bears are now 15-10, while the visiting Cardinals--who came into today's action receiving votes in the NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll--are 17-6.

Susan Pardo (7 IP, 5 Hits, 11 K, 0 ER) completely shut down Western New England in the opening game, improving her perfect record to 8-0 this season for the Cardinals. Offensively, Wesleyan was led by shortstop Jill Gately and third baseman Lexi Parr, both of whom went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Catcher Grace Kucharski (2-2, BB) and center fielder Maria Francese (3-4) combined for all five of the hits that the Golden Bears. Kucharski gave WNE a great chance to tie the game by leading off the sixth with a double to right-center, but Pardo ended the comeback hopes by striking out the next three batters.

Wesleyan struck for the only run of the contest in the third inning when left fielder Tori Redding's RBI single allowed right fielder Gigi Olson to score from third. Because Olson reached base earlier in the inning on a fielding error, the run was unearned by WNE starter Heidi Grieger. Grieger (7 IP, 6 H, R) did her best to keep the Golden Bears within striking distance throughout.

Fans were treated to an even more impressive pitching display in Game 2 as WNE starter Lauren Zambrano (7 IP, 0 ER) and Wesleyan starter Laura Getchell (6 IP, 0 ER) allowed only three hits apiece. Like Grieger in the opening game, Getchell was the victim of an unearned run that became the difference in the contest.

Golden Bears second baseman Samantha Mulhern smacked a two-out double to the gap in right-center field in the bottom of the third, scoring Francese from second who had reached on a throwing error by Parr.

Wesleyan got the leadoff batter on base in the seventh, but third baseman Katie Eckert made a heads-up play by catching a foul pop out on a failed bunt attempt and then firing to first before the runner could get back for a huge double play. Parr then grounded out to Zambrano to end the contest.

Redding (2-3) and right fielder Alex Sarkowsky (1-2) led the offensive attack for the Cardinals, while Mulhern, left fielder Alexis Bukowski, and first baseman Heather Fecteau each had a hit for the Golden Bears.

Western New England heads to New London, Conn., for a non-conference doubleheader with the United States Coast Guard Academy tomorrow beginning at 3 p.m., while Wesleyan returns home to face Western Connecticut State on Thursday.