MANCHESTER, N.H. – Despite home runs from senior catcher Megan Blier (Wells, Maine/ Wells HS) and sophomore center fielder Jackie Gauthier (Braintree, Mass./Braintree HS), the Bentley University Falcons dropped two games to Southern New Hampshire University in a Northeast-10 Conference softball doubleheader Tuesday at Penmen Field.  Scores were 3-2 and 4-1.

In the opener, after the Penmen scored in the first to take a 1-0 lead, Blier homered to center to even the game at 1-1.  It was her first of the season and sixth of her career, one shy of the all-time Bentley record.

Southern New Hampshire regained the lead in the bottom of the second and once again, Bentley answered with the long ball in its next at bat. Gauthier's blast went over the left-center field fence, with the homer also her first of the season.

The final run of the game was scored by SNHU in the bottom of the third, with an RBI double by sophomore first baseman Cara Daly (Plainville, Mass.) plating sophomore right fielder Tesia Stanasek (Blackstone, Mass.).

Bentley threatened in both the sixth and seventh, but freshman pitcher Ali Maloof (Norwood, Mass.) was able to escape as she evened her record at 6-6. The Falcons had runners on second and third with one out in the sixth, and runners on first and second with two out in the seventh.

Blier and junior left fielder Erica Thibodeau (Cohoes, N.Y./Shaker HS) each had two hits for the Falcons in the opener.

In game two, Southern New Hampshire (15-9, 5-3 NE-10) used a five-hit fourth inning to score three times and grab a 4-0 lead. That was more than enough for sophomore Dolores Mattice (Schenectady, N.Y.), who only allowed three hits while striking out eight.

Bentley scored its only run of the nightcap in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by sophomore right fielder Chelsea Tamuk (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Earl L. Vandermeulen HS).

Bentley (4-18, 2-12 NE-10) will be back in action Friday afternoon for a 3 pm home doubleheader against Saint Rose.