BEVERLY, Mass. — The No. 2 seed Roger Williams University softball team is headed back to the Conference of New England Championship weekend after knocking off top-seeded Endicott College, 2-1, Friday afternoon at the Endicott Softball Complex, in their CNE Tournament Semifinal. The win sends the Hawks into the winner's bracket of the championship round and marks RWU's first trip back to the final weekend since 2024, while Endicott returns for the first time since 2023, after defeating Hartford 13-3, in the one-loss semifinal of the double-elimination tournament.
In a tightly contested pitcher's duel, the Hawks saw a strong performance in the circle from Keira Quadros (East Providence, R.I.), who tossed a complete-game two-hitter to improve to 11-4 on the season. Quadros allowed just one run while striking out three across seven innings, holding the Gulls scoreless over the final three frames to preserve the upset victory.
After two scoreless innings to open the game, the Hawks broke through in the bottom of the third when Grace Forsythe (Woburn, Mass.) launched a solo home run to left field, giving RWU a 1-0 lead. Forsythe finished a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run, double, and both runs scored in the victory.
Endicott answered in the top of the fourth as Abby McClaflin doubled into the gap before Kylyn McLaren tied the game with an RBI double to left center. The Gulls threatened further after advancing the go-ahead run to third, but Quadros escaped the inning and settled in from there.
Roger Williams delivered the decisive rally in the bottom of the sixth. Shannon Starratt (Lake George, N.Y.) opened the inning with her second hit of the game before Madison Moran (Attleboro, Mass.) followed with a single up the middle. After the pair moved into scoring position, Kayleigh O'Connor (Southington, Conn.)lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Starratt for the eventual game-winning run.
Starratt paced the Hawks offensively with a 2-for-3 performance, while Moran added a hit and Forsythe accounted for two extra-base hits. Roger Williams finished with five hits and played error-free defense behind Quadros in the circle.
Endicott managed just two hits in the contest, with McClaflin and McLaren recording the lone knocks for the Gulls. Analise Grady suffered the loss in relief despite allowing only one earned run over 2.1 innings.
Roger Williams (26-13, 13-7 CNE) will take on No. 1 Endicott in the CNE Championships, facing the Gulls as the home team, under tournament format rules, at the Endicott Softball Complex on Sunday, due to weather expected on Saturday at 11:00 am. An if necessary game is to be played with an Endicott win on Sunday, approximately 30 minutes later.
