SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Sophomore Bethany Grimes (Terryville, Conn.) pitched a two-hit shutout in the opener and senior Kristen Dolan (Norwood) came back with a three-hitter in the nightcap as American International College swept Bentley University, 2-0 and 2-1, in Northeast-10 Conference softball Saturday afternoon at Groff Field.

Grimes, in the opener, walked two and struck out five while snapping the Falcons' three-game winning streak. She allowed only two singles and stranded seven runners on the bases, including two on third base.

Both AIC runs scored in the fourth inning. Sophomore shortstop Haley Marchand (Swansea) led off with a walk, stole second and scored on a double to left by junior designated player Stephanie Belanger (South Windsor, Conn.). Later in the inning, Belanger stole home, on the front end of a double steal, for the Yellow Jackets' second run.

In game two, AIC (14-20, 10-12 NE-10) did all its scoring in the first inning and then road the pitching of Dolan to the 2-1 win. Dolan yielded three singles, didn't issue a walk and struck out 11.

In that opening inning, senior left fielder Michele Niejadlik (Suffield, Conn.) hit a one-out triple to left and following a pair of walks that loaded the bases, was one of two AIC players to score on Grimes' double to right center.

Bentley scored its only run of the doubleheader in the fourth inning. Freshman shortstop Shannon Connor (West Haven, Conn./West Haven HS) hit a one-out single to first, took third on a passed ball, advanced to third on an infield single by junior second baseman Laura McDonough (Braintree/Braintree HS) and raced home while the AIC fielders were disputing the safe call on McDonough.

Bentley received quality pitching in both games as well with junior Carly Taitz (Blue Point, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point HS) and freshman Caitlin Betz (Randolph, N.J./Randolph HS) sharing responsibilities in both games. Taitz pitched a total of 6.2 innings and allowed seven hits and two runs with three strikeouts and Betz fanned eight in her 5.1 innings of work. She yielded six hits and two runs.

Bentley (8-22, 6-16 NE-10) will be back on the road Sunday afternoon, playing a doubleheader at Assumption College.