MANCHESTER, N.H. – Senior lefty Kelly Ferris (Seymour, Conn./Seymour HS) and junior lefty Kelsey Smith (Jaffrey, N.H./Conant HS) combined on a seven-hit shutout as Bentley University edged Southern New Hampshire University, 1-0, in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division softball Friday afternoon at the SNHU Softball Field.

Bentley, with the win over the division leaders, remained in fourth place in the Northeast with a Saturday doubleheader at Southern New Hampshire left in the regular season. The Falcons have a half-game lead (and the tie breaker) on Franklin Pierce and a one-game bulge on Merrimack.

The game's only run was scored with a two-out rally in the top of the fourth. Junior third baseman Katelyn Lebreux (Biddeford, Maine/Biddeford HS) reached on an infield single to second and senior catcher Jill Raia (Montville, N.J./Morristown-Beard School) kept the inning going by hitting a 3-2 pitch into right.

Sophomore right fielder Stephanie McQuaid (Windham, N.H./Austin Prep) followed with a single to left, bringing in Lebreux with what proved to be the game-winner.

Both teams had numerous opportunities with Bentley outhitting the Penmen 11-7 and leaving 10 on base, two more than the home team. The Falcons were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and Southern New Hampshire was hitless in seven opportunities.

Ferris, who recorded her ninth win of the season (and 21st of her career), pitched into the seventh before giving way to Smith following a leadoff single. Smith got three ground balls to claim the save.  Ferris struck out one and neither Falcon pitcher issued a walk.

Sophomore Sarah Lavalee (Candia, N.H.) went the distance in the center circle for SNHU and dropped to 14-5 on the season. She struck out four.

Bentley improved to 14-19 overall and 10-9 Northeast with the win while SNHU dropped to 23-12 (14-5 Northeast) and saw its lead in the division drop to one game.

Saturday's doubleheader will start at 12 noon.