Softball Takes Game One 3-1 in Split with Salem State
Salem, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team took game one of a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader with Salem State this afternoon by a score of 3-1 before falling 10-2 in five innings of game two at Alumni Field.
With the split, the Rams are now 19-15 on the season and 8-4 in the league, while the Vikings move to 11-20 overall and 5-7 in the MASCAC.
In the opener, the Rams received a complete game from junior Kelsi Gunarathne (Providence, RI). Gunarathne allowed just one unearned run on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
The Rams plated a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to take the lead for good in the contest. Junior Kayla Finacchiaro (Natick, Mass.) led off the inning with a home run and two batters later sophomore Kirsten Dick (Tewksbury, Mass.) tripled and then scored on a pass ball.
The Vikings tallied their only run of the game in the fourth as April Adams scored on a Framingham error after reaching base on a fielder's choice.
The Rams capped the scoring in the top of the sixth on an RBI double to center by junior Lauren Salisbury (Cranston, RI).
Illiesh Burney took loss for the Vikings going the distance and allowing three runs, two earned, on eight hits.
Sophomore Mycala Moody (North Attleboro, Mass.), Finacchiar and Salisbury paced the Rams with two hits apiece.
In game two, the Vikings scored three times in the bottom of the first to grab the lead for good. Adam walked to lead off the inning and Marisa Sanchez followed with a bunt single. Jen Crovo singled and then scored on an error in the outfield clearing the bases.
The Vikings added a run in the bottom of the third on a base hit by Crovo before the Rams got on the board in the top of the third. Freshman Grace Caughey (Mendon, Mass.) drove in Moody with an RBI single. Salem State came back with five in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.
The Rams added a single run in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by Caughey and the Vikings tallied one in the bottom to account for the final runs of the game.
Caughey took the loss in the circle allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits, without recording an out. Senior Jessica Pietersen (Norton, Mass.) tossed two and two thirds innings of relief and allowed six runs, all unearned, on six hits, while freshman Marissa Velucci tossed an inning and two third in relief allowing just one run.
Meghan Black earned the win for the Vikings going five innings and surrendering two earned runs on seven hits.
The Rams are back in action on Thursday with a non-conference doubleheader at UMass Dartmouth.