SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 25, 2019) – The Western New England University softball team cruised to a pair of non-conference victories over Westfield State University on Thursday afternoon at Golden Bear Park, defeating the Owls by scores of 6-1 and 10-1.

Freshman Dina DiBlasio (Norwalk, Conn.) led the Golden Bears in the opener, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a home run and three RBI. Sophomore Allie Buzzeo (Stamford, Conn.) went 2-for-4, while classmate Emily Cooney(Berlin, Conn.) posted a 1-for-3 effort with a walk and one RBI.

Junior Aimee Kistner (Taunton, Mass.) was impressive in the circle, striking out eight batters and allowing just one run on six hits to improve to 12-5 this season.

Westfield State senior Karly Mastello (Russell, Mass.) accounted for three of the Owls' seven hits, while senior Caitlin Hughes (Hanson, Mass.) went 2-for-3 and freshman Colleen Hughes (Hanson, Mass.) drove in the only run for the visitors.

DiBlasio stayed hot at the plate in game two, as she turned in a 3-for-3 performance with a double and four RBI to pace the Golden Bears. Buzzeo went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored, while Cooney, Pounds and freshman Jamie Cookingham (Warner, N.H.) drove in one run each.

Junior Paige Uliase (Meriden, Conn.) got the start for Western New England and picked up the win (8-8) after striking out five batters and surrendering just one unearned run on three hits over four innings of work.

Westfield State was led by Mastello and senior Bri Tortora (Worcester, Mass.), who finished with two hits each.  

Both teams wrap up conference play on Saturday, as Western New England (20-14) travels to Gordon for a CCC doubleheader and Westfield State (11-21) heads back on the road to Bridgewater State for a MASCAC twinbill.