SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 13, 2024) – The Western New England softball team collected the Commonwealth Coast Conference championship for the first time since 2018 on Sunday afternoon, defeating Roger Williams University 9-3 in a winner-take-all championship game. With the win, the Golden Bears punch an automatic berth into the NCAA Championships and will learn their pod and opponents for the opening regional round.

The Golden Bears went 3-1 in the conference tournament, opening with a 2-1 win over third-seeded Nichols College. Kailey Carrano was the hero in the contest, collecting a two-run home run in the third inning to lift the Golden Bears, while Evelyn Picone and Ava Blanchard dominated the circle, combining to throw five strikeouts while only giving up five hits. WNE would then defeat Wentworth Institute of Technology in the winner's bracket of the tournament, coming from behind with a three-run seventh inning to complete the comeback. Alex Ferriouolo's RBI double was the difference while Picone shut down Wentworth, going four innings in the circle and giving up just three hits. Western New England would draw Roger Williams University and would get two chances to beat the Hawks to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. After falling 1-0 in a potential clinching game, the Golden Bears were able to get the job done in a winner-take-all game on Sunday, defeating RWU 9-3 to earn the automatic bid out of the CCC. Carrano would connect on a home run in the win with the score tied at three, while a three-run seventh inning would push the Golden Bears to victory.

Western New England softball enters the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018, when they were part of the Williamstown pod, hosted by Williams College, going 1-2 that season in the championships.

The NCAA Division III Softball selection show will be held on Monday, May 13 at 11:00 AM EST. To watch the selection show, click here.