WALTHAM, Mass. – Graduate catcher Ella Hillier (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin HS) led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left and eventually scored the game-winner as Bentley outlasted Pace University, 2-1, in the first half of a Northeast-10 Conference softball doubleheader on the Falcons' new turf field Sunday afternoon.

Senior first baseman Kaylee Mankins (North Attleboro/Bishop Feehan HS) had a three-run in the first inning of game two and the Falcons went on to a 6-1 win, completing a sweep of the Setters.

Bentley remained atop the NE10 standings, improving to 7-1 conference and 16-8 overall. Pace dropped to 3-3 NE10 and 9-13 overall.

The Falcons struck first in game one, picking up a run in the fourth. Senior third baseman Jess Trahan (Merrimack, N.H./Merrimack HS) walked, took second on an infield single by junior left fielder Jordan Krause (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro HS) and scored on a catcher's error following a two-out single by Mankins.

After Pace evened the game with an unearned run in the sixth, Bentley scored the walk-off run in the ninth. Hillier and Mankins singled, both moved into scoring position on a sacrifice and Hillier scored when a bunt by junior shortstop Sabrina Grizzaffi (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield HS) was misplayed.

Bentley received outstanding pitching from both junior Payton Doiron (Beacon Falls, Conn./St. Joseph HS) and sophomore Taylor O'Brien (East Greenbush, N.Y./Columbia HS). Doiron scattered six hits and fanned four in six innings and O'Brien gained the win with three innings of no-hit relief.

Bentley took charge of the opener early made with Mankins involved in all four runs. After senior center fielder Sam Petow (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury HS), Trahan and Hillier reached to load the bases, Mankins cleared them with a two-bagger to left. She later made it 4-0 when she scored on a wild pitch.

Krause, who is now hitting .476 after amassing five hits in the twinbill, had an RBI triple in the second. In the sixth, Trahan made it 6-1 with an RBI double to center.

Bentley's 12 hits included three apiece from Krause and Petow, as well as two from Trahan and Mankins.

Sophomore pitcher Dahlia Fink (Sherman Oaks, Calif./Notre Dame HS) turned in a two-hitter to gain her seventh win in eight decisions. She did not give up a walk or an earned run, and she struck out three.

After a 5-1 homestand, Bentley is scheduled to play its next six on the road, beginning with a Friday doubleheader at Franklin Pierce.