WALTHAM, Mass. – Single runs in each of the first three innings and four innings of scoreless relief by sophomore Kayleigh Fitzpatrick (East Hampstead, N.H./Timberlane Reg. HS) lifted Bentley University to a 3-1 win over The College of Saint Rose in the opening game of a Northeast-10 Conference softball doubleheader at Bentley Sunday afternoon.

Saint Rose answered back in game two, riding a five-hit shutout from freshman Emily Kurtzner (Colonie, N.Y.) to a 7-0 victory.

In the first inning of the opener, sophomore left fielder Stacey Korotsky (Raynham/ Bridgewater-Raynham HS) reached on an infield single and scored on a double to center by sophomore center fielder Julie Slavin (Rocky Hill, Conn./Rocky Hill HS).

Bentley made it a 2-0 game in the second when freshman third baseman Noa Rivera (Clifton, N.J./Hawthorne Christian Acad.) doubled to left center, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error.

The game's scoring was competed in the third when Saint Rose scored in the top of the inning and Bentley matched it in the bottom half. Senior shortstop Catie Noons (North Dighton/Dighton-Rehoboth HS) led off with a single up the middle, advanced to third on an error and a fly ball, and scored on Rivera's sacrifice fly.

Fitzpatrick entered the game with two on and no out in the fourth. She scattered six hits and was helped out by two double plays as she earned her third win of the season. Saint Rose had 16 base runners in the game (11 hits, 5 walks) but stranded 12 on base.

In game two, Saint Rose scored three unearned runs in the top of the first and was never challenged the rest of the way. Junior right fielder Astastia Myler (Johnsburg, N.Y.) powered the offense with a two-run double in the first and a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

That would be more than enough for Kurtzner, who walked three and struck out four. She allowed only one hit in ten bats with runners on base.

Bentley dropped to 9-18 overall and 6-8 conference while Saint Rose improved to 10-11 overall and 5-2 NE10.

The Falcons are back in action Tuesday with a 4 pm home game against Assumption College.