BOX SCORE

ORLANDO - Ashley Bernstein (Stoughton, MA) hurled a complete game three-hit shutout as Southern New Hampshire University opened the 2008 softball season with a 2-0 win over Northern State University Thursday afternoon.  The Penmen are now 1-0 overall while Northern State is 0-12 on the season.

Bernstein struck out five and walked three in her shutout effort.  Ashley Guertin (Manchester, NH) led the Penmen at the plate by going 2-3.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth inning.  Valerie Martins (Somerset, MA) worked a leadoff walk and would score with two outs after back to back singles by Laurie Boland (Worcester, MA) and Karissa Bettencourt (Norton, MA).  The Penmen would plate another run in the top of the seventh when a double off the bat of Guertin scored Michelle Maranto (East Hampstead, NH), who reached on a one-out single.

NSU's best chance to score came in the bottom of the first when the Wolves loaded the bases with two outs.  However, Bernstein would strike out the next batter to keep Northern State off the board.

SNHU returns to action Friday when it plays Augustana and Holy Family.