MILTON, Mass. – Sixth-seeded Curry College defeated #7 New England College, 3-2, in opening-round play in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) softball tournament Monday afternoon in Milton. The Colonels improved to 21-20 overall, and advanced to the double-elimination phase of the tournament. The loss eliminated the Pilgrims, who ended their season at 15-20. [Box Score]

New England College did all of its scoring in the first two innings, notching single runs in both the first and second frames to forge a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Gabrielle Timms knocked in junior Teraysa White with an RBI single in the first, followed an inning later by a run-scoring hit off the bat of senior Melinda Robbins that plated sophomore Alyssa Hoot.

Curry pulled even at 2-2 in the bottom of the second, as senior Amanda Peters launched a solo home run to right field, and freshman Heather Carrier doubled to left field and later scored on a passed ball. The Colonels brought home what proved to be the game-winning run in the bottom of the third, as sophomore Amanda Felzmann brought home freshman Megan Flaherty with an RBI groundout.

The final 3 ½ innings became a pitcher’s duel between Curry senior Janelle Mayo and New England College’s Timms. Both hurlers tossed complete games, with Mayo notching the win to improve to 10-8 on the season. She surrendered six hits and two earned runs without issuing a walk, striking out three in her seven innings of work. Timms slipped to 10-9, allowing six hits, two earned runs and four walks with one strikeout in her six innings.

Carrier turned in the only multi-hit effort of the game, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Six different Pilgrims picked up one hit apiece.

The Colonels will travel to Western New England on Tuesday, where they will take on #3 Nichols College in a neutral-site game at 2:30 p.m.