The seventh-seeded Skyhawks (20-18-1) travel to Springfield today to face sixth-seeded American International College (24-24) in a 3 p.m. game.

Stonehill is 0-3 in conference tournament games, losing to Bryant, 2-0, in 2008 and falling to Assumption, 3-2, and Merrimack, 1-0, in the 1996 tourney.

The Skyhawks went 15-13 in the NE-10 this season and finished right behind AIC (17-13) in the standings. Stonehill swept the Yellow Jackets on the road on April 10, 4-0 and 1-0.

The Stonehill-AIC winner advances to the double-elimination portion of the tourney, which will be held Friday through Sunday in New Haven.

“I think it'd be huge for our program if we can get that first win,” said Stonehill coach Ken LeGrice, who is in his first season after being an assistant for four years. “To win would be a big step for the program. It would definitely help.”

The Skyhawks have been led offensively by freshman designated player Nicole Eisenmann of East Bridgewater, who is batting a team-leading .398, including .440 against NE-10 teams.

Sophomore Samantha Krantz has posted an 8-6 record and 2.37 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 85.2 innings this season.

Eisenmann has 51 hits in 39 games with eight doubles, two triples, four homers and 31 RBI. She has also appeared in four games as a relief pitcher and is 1-0 with a 0.88 earned run average.

“I had high expectations of her coming in,” said LeGrice, “and she's met and surpassed every one of them. Her eye-hand coordination at the plate is what makes her such a good hitter.

“She can hit for power, but she's a great contact hitter, too. If she's got two strikes on her and you need a hit, she's one of the best in the conference at getting one.”

Other leading hitters include Chelsea Stryker (.309), Courtney Marchand (.292) and Katy Abarr (four homers, 17 RBI).

Stonehill has had four pitchers work in at last 12 games each. Samantha Krantz is 8-6 with a 2.37 earned run average and leads the team with 55 strikeouts.

Senior Kait Mendall of Middleboro, a Coyle-Cassidy graduate, is 6-5 with a 2.60 ERA and has three shutouts and a save. Kaitlin Andrews had won three games and Kellie Reardon has a pair of victories.

“We've had a little bit of everything this year – spectacular pitching at times, timely hitting,” said LeGrice. “But defense is the one thing that's been solid all season.”

First baseman Kristen Clark of Brockton is among the defensive leaders, making only five errors in 342 chances.

Stonehill enters the tourney with a three-game losing streak and five losses in the last seven games.

“We've been a team that is very quick to bounce back and handle things,” said LeGrice, “and I think we'll be able to do that again.”