Box Score SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Junior Katie Eckert scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the second inning to back Lauren Zambrano's one-hitter as Western New England eked by Norwich, 1-0, in Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Softball Championship first-round action shortened to six innings by rain on Wednesday at Golden Bear Park.

The fifth-seeded Cadets end their season at 25-10, while the No. 4 Golden Bears (27-18) advance to the final four, double-elimination phase of the tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

With wet weather threatening to prevent the completion of the game, both teams engaged in a pitchers' duel. Norwich's Corrine Baita (12-8) was the hard-luck loser, allowing just two singles and an unearned run with six strikeouts in six innings. Zambrano was a bit better, though, surrendering just one single with seven strikeouts to earn the complete-game, shutout win (18-6). Neither pitcher issued a walk.

Western New England scratched the winning run when Eckert scored on a throwing error by Baita with two outs. Eckert led off the second with a single through the left side and then advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Hannah Hill. After another groundout, senior co-captain Jeana Longo hit a ball back to Baita but the pitcher's throw was errant that allowed Eckert to come around third to score.

Angie Hershberger had the Cadets' only hit on a single to right field in the fourth inning.

Junior Maria Francese had the Golden Bears' other hit later in the second, after the throwing error that extended the inning.