NEWTON, MASS. --  Fourth-seeded Pine Manor College eliminated defending champion Rivier College from the 2009 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Softball Tournament with a 5-4 victory.

The game turned late as the Gators took a 3-2 lead into the top of the sixth.  Jackie Mannino (FY, Little Silver, N.J.) singled to left and advanced to third on a single by Michelle Myers (Jr., Freeport, N.Y.).  Following a ground out to third base that held the runners Mannino moved to third and Myers to second on a misplay off Myers single. Michelle Campbell (FY, Baltimore, Md.)then singled driving in Mannino to increase the margin to 4-2.

Rivier answered immediately in the bottom of the inning as Brenna Campbell (Nashua, N.H.) singled to center and with two outs advanced to second on a wild pitch.  Jenna Beadle (Sr., Rumney, N.H.) singled to center and moved to second as the Gators attempted to cut down Campbell at third.  Amanda Ryan (So., West Bridgewater, Mass.) then singled, plating two runs to tie the game.

With one out in the Pine Manor seventh Kayla Ferrera (FY, South Portland, Maine) walked and following an infield pop out, Jackie Martinez (So., Albuquerque, N.M.) singled to left.  Mannino then drilled a ground rule double scoring Ferrara with what proved to be the winning run.

Pine Manor drew first blood in the game getting an unearned run in the top of the third.  The lead was short lived as the Raiders got two in the bottom of the inning, the big blow being a triple by Campbell.

Tara Doehler (FY, Lakeville, Mass.) got the win for Pine Manor (20-18), scattering eight hits striking out four and walking one.  Monica White (Jr., Agusta, Maine) took the Rivier (16-16) loss in relief of Alexa Feener (Jr., Franklin, N.H.).  White gave up six hits in 2.2 innings.