Gunarathne Sets New Career Wins Record as Softball Sweeps Simmons

Framingham, Mass.  – Senior Kelsi Gunarathne (North Providence, RI) became the Framingham State University softball career wins leader with her game one victory as softball swept a non-conference doubleheader with Simmons College this afternoon at Maple Street Field.  The Rams behind Gunarathne's complete game performance took game one 5-4 before taking game two 6-4.

THE BASICS:

- Scores:         Game 1: Framingham State 5, Simmons 4
                        Game 2: Framingham State 6, Simmons 4

- Records: Framingham State (13-11), Simmons (10-18)

- Location: Maple Street Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Game 1 -

• Gunarathane recorded her eighth win of the season and 45^th of her career in the opener surpassing the old mark of 44 which was held by former Ram Karen Cole who was in the circle from 1992-95.  Gunarathne continues to add her name to the record book as earlier this season she became the Rams career strikeout leader.
• After three scoreless innings, the Sharks got on the board in the top of the fourth on an RBI single to left by Maddie Castigliego.  The hit was just the Shark's second of the game off Gunarathne.
• Simmons plated three more in the top of the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.  Ivy Vann delivered an RBI single in the inning, while Christie Bott plated a run with a double.  Dom Oritz singled and the ball was misplayed in the Rams outfield allowing the final run of the frame to score.
• The Rams batted around in the bottom of the sixth and scored five runs to secure the come from behind victory.  The Rams loaded the bases with one out and junior Mycala Moody (North Attleboro, Mass.) drew a bases loaded walk.  Sophomore Grace Caughey (Mendon, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice scoring a run and a heads up base running play by classmate Camille Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) allowed the second run to score on the play.  Freshman Laela Pepin (Acushnet, Mass.) reached on an error in the Shark outfield allowing the final two runs of the frame to cross the plate.
• Gunarathne retired the Sharks in order in the top of the seventh to secure the victory.  Gunarathne allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in the game.
• Castigliego, who started in the circle did not factor into the decision, finished the game with a pair of hits for the Sharks, while Vann scored twice and recorded two hits.
• Tori Gomes worked a third of an inning in relief for the Sharks and took the loss allowing five runs, four earned on a hit with three walks.

Game 2 -

• In game two, the Rams took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third.  Junior Kirsten Dick (Tewksbury, Mass.) doubled and then scored on a double by Desrochers.  Caughey followed with an RBI double of her own.
• Four runs in the top of the fourth put the Sharks in the lead.  Bott grounded into an RBI fielder's choice and two batters later was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a single to center by Marissa Santoro.  Shannon McMahon followed with an RBI double and Hailey Yabroudy plated a pair with a single.
• A three spot for the Rams in the bottom of the fifth was all they would need to secure the game two victory.  Desrochers scored from third on a wild pitch and Cuaghey singled home a run tying the game.  Pepin came thru with an RBI single for the go ahead run.
• The Rams added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when Moody laced a double to left.
• Caughey went two-for-four in game two with a run scored and two RBI, while also earning the victory in the circle.  Caughey went seven innings allowing four runs, three earned on seven hits with a walk and a strikeout.
• Yabroudy took the loss for Simmons going six innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts.

UP NEXT:

The Rams are back in action on Saturday when they host Worcester State for a pair MASCAC games at 1 p.m., while the Sharks host Johnson & Wales on Saturday for a doubleheader at 12 p.m.