WALTHAM, Mass. - Second-seeded Keene State College softball team won its first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England crown today with a convincing 11-1 triumph over top-seeded Brandeis on Marcus Field today in a rematch of last season's championship contest. Owl senior centerfielder and leadoff hitter Jenna Patnode (Surry, N.H.) earned tournament MVP honors after batting 8-for-15 (.533) in the tournament with six runs scored, two RBI and five stolen bases.

"We played with a lot of emotion throughout the tournament," said Keene State Coach Charlie Beach. "They had something to prove after missing the NCAA tournament and wanted to get some redemption from last year's loss to Brandeis in the championship game."
"This was the last hurrah for the seniors and they exalted the underclassmen to play well."

"We played awesome," said Patonde. "I think we showed the NCAA the way we can play. I can't think of a better way to end my career. I had four amazing years at Keene State and loved every second of it."

"Even though we had so many freshmen, I thought this was the most talented team I've been on," said senior Katie Allenson. "We developed a special team chemistry that made us successful."

Keene State (30-14) got the job done thanks to a nine-run outburst in the second inning. The Owls had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when sophomore righ fielder Ashley Annis (Gilford, N.H.) took advantage of a blustery wind to hit a solo home run to right-centerfield, but they blew the game open in their next at bat. KSC sent 14 hitters to the plate, with the first 10 reaching base safely. The big blows in the frame were a two-run double to right by Patnode, followed by a two-run single up the middle by Annis. Senior third base Katie Allenson (Clifton Park, N.Y.) added an RBI single to the mix, her team-leading fifth of the tournament.

Brandeis (28-17) loaded the bases in the second with one out. Keene State got an infield grounder that they turned into an out at the plate before giving up their only run of the contest on a bases-loaded walk to sophomore second baseman Melisa Cagar (Ridgewood, N.J.).

Sophomore shortstop Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) got the run back for Keene State in the top of the third on a single to right that plated Annis, who finished the day going 2-2 with three runs scored and three RBI to go with her home run. Rookie hurler Courtney Savoie (Stratham, N.H.) picked up her second win of the tournament and 13th of the campaign by scattering four hits in five innings, striking out two and walking three. The Owls also turned in excellent defense, making three spectacular catches in the fifth inning, including a diving stab by Bradford at short and charging catch by Patnode to end the game.

Brandeis reached the championship round by eliminating Plymouth State University, 6-4, in the day's first game.

Keene State was making its third appearance in the past four years in the ECAC Division III tournament. It was the Owls 10th overall trip to the ECACs. KSC won the 1990 and 1993 softball titles as a Division II member. In Division III, the Owls have made four appearances.

In 1998 the tournament was not completed due to rain. In the 2004 double-elimination tournament, they dropped semifinal games to Smith College and Coast Guard. In 2006, KSC defeated Curry College in a first-round game before the tournament was postponed because of rain. Last season, the Owls advanced to the championship round before falling to Brandeis 6-5.