BEVERLY, Mass. - Sophomore pitcher Amanda Berard (Swansea, Mass.) fired a no-hitter and classmate shortstop Donielle Mattoon (Coventry, R.I.) blasted a two-out solo home run (6) over the left field fence in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead second-seeded Rhode Island College past fifth-seeded Emerson, 1-0, in game nine of the 2009 NCAA Div. III Softball Tournament New England Regional, hosted by Endicott this morning. 

The Anchorwomen (42-6) advance to face the winner of fourth-seeded Endicott vs. seventh-seeded Springfield (noon) today at 4 p.m. in game 12. RIC established a new school record for wins in a season with the victory. Emerson (33-11) is eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, suffering their second loss at the Regional.

Berard set down every batter she faced on the day, except for senior designated player Jess Silva (Somerset, Mass.), who struck out, but then reached on a passed ball with one down in the third to prevent the sophomore righty from hurling a perfect game. She struck out seven to earn her 16th (16-2) win and collected her sixth complete game of the year.

Emerson senior pitcher Kelsey Tuthill (Middlefield, Conn.) suffered the loss (19-7), holding the high-powered Anchorwomen offense to just three hits, while striking out seven.

RIC sophomore second baseman Amanda Perry (New Bedford, Mass.) and classmate designated player Laura Kostenblatt (Keene, N.H.) notched the other hits for the victors.

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