Softball Splits Two with UMass Dartmouth – Faria Sets New Single Season Strikeout Mark

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team split a pair of non-conference games this afternoon at Farley Field with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.  The Rams took the opener 5-4, while the Corsairs were victorious in the second 1-0.        

The Rams are now 14-22 on the season, while UMass Dartmouth improves to 11-16.

In game one, the Rams scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to overcome a two run deficit and take a one run lead.  Junior Alyssa Shea (Lakeville, Mass.) led off with a single, advanced to second on groundout and stole third.  Senior Kelly Reardon (Groveland, Mass.) drove in Shea as she blooped a popup in the infield that was misplayed by the Corsairs.  Senior Kasey Phipps (Westford, Mass.) singled giving the Rams runners on first and second with two outs and freshman Alyssa Begin (Salem, Mass.) at the plate.  Begin grounded to third but the throw sailed high and out of play allowing Reardon to score the tying run and Phipps the game winning run.

Junior Alysia Morrissette (Ware, Mass.) retired the side in the top of the seventh to record her sixth win of the season.  Morissette went the distance for the Rams scattering seven hits and allowing four runs, only one earned, with a walk and five strikeouts.

UMass Dartmouth scored a pair of unearned runs in the first inning as Emily Pontes singled with a runner on and the throw from the Rams outfield sailed out of play allowing Pontes to reach third and a run to come in.  Kaitlin Hogan (Tewksbury, Mass.) sacrificed Pontes home for the early 2-0 lead.

The Rams tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth as junior Christy Ulak (Rehoboth, Mass.) doubled home Shea, who had singled to lead off the inning and Ulak scored on an RBI single through the left side by Phipps.

The Corsairs took the lead back in the top of the six as Elizabeth Mulready (Rockland, Mass.) singled with two runners on scoring Tracie Calvert (Sandwich) and Pontes after the ball was misplayed in the Rams outfield.

Calvert, Pontes and Mulready all had two hits for the Corsairs in game one, while Shea and Phipps each had a pair of hits for the Rams.

Game two was scoreless after six as Framingham's Yaya Faria (Acton, Mass.) and UMass Dartmouth's Ashley Felaccio (Acushnet, Mass.) were both outstanding.  Faria allowed only five hits through the first six innings with five strikeouts, while Felaccio was equally impressive surrendering five hits through six with six Ks.

UMass Dartmouth scored the decisive run in the seventh as Faria walked a pair of batters with one out setting the stage for junior Hannah Rounds (Lincoln, RI), who singled to left driving in the only run of the game.

The Rams had a chance in the bottom of the seventh as pinch hitter Kim Danish (Milford, Mass.) walked, but UMass Dartmouth turned a double play to end the game.

Faria set a new single season strikeout record for the Rams with her fourth strikeout of the game in the fifth inning.  Faria, who is the first FSU softball pitcher to record 100 strikeouts in a season, surpassed Kelly Knox's record of 98 strikeouts in a season which was set in 2006.

Shea led the Rams offense in game two with a pair of singles, while Mulready and Rounds each picked up two hits for the Corsairs.  Felaccio earned the win for UMass Dartmouth tossing the complete game shutout with seven strikeouts and five hits.

The Corsairs return to action tomorrow with a pair of nonconference at Bridgewater State.