Softball Rallies to Win Game Two 7-6 and Earn Split with Lesley
Framingham, Mass. — The Framingham State College softball team scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Lesley University 7-6 in game two and earn a split of a non-conference doubleheader at Farley Field this afternoon. The Lynx had won the opener by a score of 7-1 behind a solid pitching performance from sophomore Cassandra Knox (Sea Cliff, N.Y.). With the split the Rams improve to 11-15 on the year, while the Lynx are now 13-9.
Knox pitched a gem in game one holding the Rams to just five hits as she struck out eight. The Rams only run of the game came in the fifth inning when the Rams had two of their five hits.
Lesley University scored two runs in the first inning on an RBI fielder’s choice from outfielder Alyson Durben (Stow, Mass.) and on an attempted double steal play. The Lynx added two more in the third on RBI singles from Durben and Georgia Saltzman (Lynn, Mass.) and tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh as Durben picked up her second hit of the game and third RBI and Saltzman drove in two more on a double to center.
In game two, the Lynx took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first as Emily Mangiaratti (Amherst, Mass.) led off the game with a triple to deep left and came around to score on an RBI ground out by Jessica Guevara (Nantucket, Mass.).
The Lynx added a single run in the second as Saltzman scored on a double steal to take a 2-0 lead and added four more in the top of the third to take 6-0 lead. Durben picked up two more RBI on a triple to center and scored on a pass ball, while Jodi Fralick (Woburn, Mass.) picked up an RBI on a double to left.
Knox got the nod in game two for the Lynx and picked up where she left off retiring the first six batters she faced before surrendering a leadoff walk to Kelsey Power (Hollidaysburg, PA) in the third. Kelly Reardon followed with a single giving the Rams first and second with no outs. Power was erased at third on a fielder’s choice and after a sacrifice bunt the Rams had runners on second and third with two down. Knox was once again able to get the Rams to hit the ball on the ground and the Lynx defense erased Reardon at the plate to end the threat.
Molly Sarson (Sanford, Maine) replaced Knox in the circle to start the fourth inning. Christy Ulak (Rehoboth, Mass.) led off the inning with a single through the left side and came around to score the Rams first run on an RBI double by catcher Katie Donovan (Holden, Mass.).
The game would head to the bottom of the seventh with Lesley leading 6-2 setting the stage for the Rams comeback. Reardon walked to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single through the middle by Kelsey Phipps (Westford, Mass.). Phipps advanced to second on an error by the Lynx in the outfield and after Kendra Fisher (Abington, Mass.) worked a walk, the Rams had runners on first and second with no outs. After an out, Ulak doubled to left field driving in two runs to cut Lesley’s lead to 6-4. Donovan reached on a fielder’s choice and once again the Rams had runners on first and second. Alyssa Shea (Lakeville, Mass.) worked a walk to load the bases for pitcher Alysia Morrissette (Ware, Mass.) with one out. Morrisette hit a hard grounder that got past the third baseman allowing Ulak and Donovan to score the tying and winning runs.
Morrissette picked up the win in game two to improve her season record to 4-8, while Stephanie Vassillion (Warner, N.H.) picked up the loss.
The Rams return to action on Thursday as they host Plymouth State at 3:30 p.m., while the Lynx host Newbury tomorrow at 3:301 p.m.