WALTHAM, Mass. – Saint Anselm College junior right-hander Morgan Perry (Bethany, Conn.) struck out 14 and finished with a two-hit shutout as the Hawks defeated Bentley University, 5-0, in Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Division softball Thursday afternoon on the Bentley softball field.

Saint Anselm clinched the Northeast Division title and extended its winning streak to eight games. The Hawks improved to 33-8 and 18-2 in divisional play while Bentley, 18-22 overall, fell to 10-9 in the Northeast.

Perry, who now has 177 strikeouts, fanned out at least one in every inning and the side in both the second and sixth innings. The win was her 19th in 24 decisions this spring.

Junior right fielder Sami Palazzolo (East Williston, N.Y./Wheatley School) broke up Perry's shutout bid by beating out a ground ball to third in the third inning. The Falcons' other hit was a single to left by sophomore shortstop Lindsey Allen (Worcester/Worcester Technical HS) leading off the seventh.

Saint Anselm took a 1-0 lead in the first on an RBI double to left by senior shortstop Jordan O'Connor (New Fairfield, Conn.).

The Hawks put up four runs in the second with the frame including four hits, two outfield errors by the Falcons, a passed ball and four stolen bases. The only RBI in the inning came on a sacrifice bunt by freshman catcher Bailey Cain (Wellington, Fla.).

Saint Anselm totaled 12 hits, including at least one in every inning. Cain was one of four Hawks to have two.

The two teams will close out the regular season against each other Saturday with a noon doubleheader at Bentley. The Falcons will need at least a split, or a St. Michael's win over Assumption, in order to gain a Northeast-10 postseason berth.