MANCHESTER, N.H. – Despite a home run and two RBI from sophomore center fielder Juliana Romeo (Greenville, R.I./Smithfield HS), the Bentley University softball team came up just short Friday afternoon, dropping a 3-2 decision to Southern New Hampshire University in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division softball at the SNHU softball field.

Romeo tied the game up at once apiece when she led off the second with her second home run of the season. Two innings later, she gave the Falcons the lead with an RBI single to left, scoring senior shortstop Catie Noons (North Dighton, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth Reg. HS). Noons led off with a walk and took advantage of both a wild pitch and a ground out to move to third.

Bentley didn't remain in front for long as the Penmen countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Junior third baseman Erin Garczynski (Norwood, Mass.) led off with a double down the left field line and senior first baseman Sarah Lavallee (Candia, N.H.) followed with a single through the right side. Garczynski scored the tying run on a grounder to first from freshman Jackie Gavin (Laconia, N.H.) and a single to short by freshman pinch-hitter Coralie Mathieu (Methuen, Mass.) plated a pinch-runner with what proved to be the winning run.

The Falcons threatened in the seven with a one-out single by freshman catcher Lindsey Allen (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Technical HS) and a two-out double from freshman designated hitter Leah Thompson (Trumbull, Conn./Trumbull HS). However, SNHU (26-8, 3-4 NE10 Northeast) brought in freshman Ali Atherton (Milford, Mass.) from the bullpen and she got a grounder back to the center circle for the final out.

Romeo was the only Falcon with multiple hits. Bentley (9-20, 4-4 NE10 Northeast) totaled four off winning pitcher Maddy Barone (Halifax, Mass.), a sophomore righty who struck out six in 6.2 innings.

The two teams will be back on the same field Saturday for an 11 am doubleheader (note the time change).