GAME 1 BOX SCORE     GAME 2 BOX SCORE

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Southern New Hampshire University softball team opened the 2009 season with a split against Northwood University Friday afternoon.  The Seahawks recorded a 3-2 win in the opener before the Penmen rallied for a 5-4 win in the nightcap.  Northwood is now 8-19 on the season.

In game two, Southern New Hampshire rallied from a 4-0 deficit by scoring twice in the fourth, twice in the fifth and plating the game-winner in the top of the sixth.  In the sixth, Elena Anderson (Salem, WI), who delivered a two-run double in the fourth, led off the inning with a walk, then after advancing to second on a wild pitch, scored on back-to-back groundouts, with Kyla Puccini (North Dighton, MA) grounding out to score Anderson.

The Penmen scored a pair of unearned runs in the fifth, taking advantage of a pair of passed balls and an error.  Melissa Vitagliano (Bedford, NH) led off with a single, then went to second on a passed ball.  Amanda Barton (Franklin, NH) walked, then Vitagliano would score and Barton moved to third when Karissa Bettencourt (Noron, MA) reached on an error.  Barton would score on the second passed ball of the inning.

Anderson finished with two hits in the nightcap.  Puccini earned the win by pitching three innings of scoreless relief, surrendering just three hits.  She relieved starter Kelsey Griffin (Scarborough, ME) who allowed eight hits and four runs (three earned) in four innings while striking out five.

In the opener, the Penmen staked themselves to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.  Nicole Arpin (Cheshire, CT) reached on a one-out walk and would score on a single by Andrea Clausi (Kingston, NY).  Clausi would score when Melissa Pessotti (Burlington, MA) reached on an error.

SNHU would hold Northwood scoreless until the fifth, when Jessica Stahl scored when Kendall Brooks reached on an error.  The Seahawks scored two more times in the bottom of the sixth, banging out three hits while also taking advantage of a Penmen error.

Ashley Bernstein (Stoughton, MA) went the distance on the mound for SNHU, allowing six hits and three runs (one earned) in six innings of work.  She also had a pair of hits for the Penmen in the opener.

Southern New Hampshire returns to action Saturday when it travels to Palm Beach Atlantic University for a noon doubleheader.

NOTES: Bernstein moved into a tie for seventh place with current SNHU assistant coach Mel Keeler in career hits with 105...the Penmen are playing a total of 12 games in Florida, all against schools from the Sunshine State.