Briana Keaveney's effective pitching led the Lady Spartans to a 7-1 win over Franklin Pierce University in the nightcap of a non-conference doubleheader yesterday at Spartan Field in Sparkill. Franklin Pierce won the first game, 8-1.

In the Lady Spartans' first action of the season, Keaveney was in command throughout and finished with seven strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. "Briana looked strong and confident," said STAC Head Coach Kristen Sullivan. "She pitched ahead in the count and mixed in off-speed pitches to keep the Raven batters off balance. I was also impressed with the way she controlled the tempo of the game, which helped keep her teammates stay sharp and on their toes."

Kelcy McGeehan and Brittany Malloy snapped a 1-1 tie with run-producing doubles in the fourth inning and that was all that Keaveney needed. St. Thomas broke the game open in the fifth inning with an exciting three-run rally. Ashley Landolina's two-run double was the key hit. Landolina led the team's 13-hit assault with two hits and two RBI. Amanda Schweitzer, Amanda Leone, Caitlyn Francoeur and McGeehan each had two hits.

Sullivan was happy with the way her team bounced back in the second game after losing the opener.

"Their attitudes remained positive and upbeat," said Sullivan. "The girls were more relaxed in the second game, after their first-games jitters disappeared. I thought they made good adjustments late in the opening game and continued their aggressive offensive approach in the second game."

Leone homered over the centerfield fence in the first game. Franklin Pierce's Cyrena Zemaitis allowed only four hits and struck out eight.

The Lady Spartans embark on a challenging 10-team road trip to Clermont, Florida beginning Saturday where they will play teams from eight different states. Nationally ranked University of Indianapolis and five other teams that won 25 or more games last season are on the Lady Spartans' Florida schedule.