Softball Rallies in Game Two to Sweep Newbury
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team took game one of a non-conference doubleheader against Newbury College by a score of 5-3 and then rallied from a six run deficit to win game two 16-8 in six innings to complete the two game sweep this afternoon at Farley Field.
With the win, the Rams improve their season mark to 7-11, while the Nighthawks slip to 4-14 on the year.
Newbury took an early 1-0 lead with a run in their first at bat of the opening game. Freshman Anjelina Mayjoffo (Antioch, CA) led off the game with a single to right. Mayjoffo stole second and was sacrificed over to third before she came around to score on a groundout by freshman Julia Flamenco (Copiague, NY).
A single run in the third extended the Nighthawk lead to 2-0. Junior Audrey Spataro (Holland, Mass.) reached on an error and scored on an RBI single to right by classmate Theresa Hylinski (Stratford, Conn.).
Newbury starting pitcher Rebecca Roach (Charlton, Mass.) cruised through the first three innings, but the Rams were able to get the offense going in the fourth as they plated three runs on a pair of hits. Junior Taylor Ezold (Westfield, Mass.) singled to lead off the inning and scored a batter later on senior Alyssa Shea's (Lakeville, Mass.) triple to right center. Shea scored when junior Yaya Faria's (Acton, Mass.) fly ball to center that was misplayed by the Nighthawks and Faria scored the final run on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Kate Corriveault (Blackstone, Mass.).
The Rams added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Corriveault to reach the final differential.
Shea picked up a pair of extra base hits in the first game including the 100th of her career on a double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Faria recorded the victory in the circle as she went the distance allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Roach picked up the loss for the Nighthawks as she went six innings allowing five runs, three earned, on eight hits with three strikeouts.
In game two, Newbury once again took advantage of their opening at bat to stake themselves a 2-0 lead. Roach drove in the first run on an RBI fielder's choice and sophomore Katie Haney (Winchendon, Mass.) plated the other with an RBI single up the middle.
The Nighthawks added two more in the second aided by a pair of Framingham errors and an RBI triple off the bat of Mayjoffo. Sophomore Molly McKinnon (Framingham, Mass.) cut the Nighthawks lead to 4-1 with an RBI double to left center in the bottom of the second.
Newbury added three more in the top of the third inning on RBI hits from Spataro and Mayjoffo to and another Framingham error to push their lead to 7-1.
Framingham State countered with three in the fourth as they began to chip away at the deficit. Sophomore Jaleisa Rookard (Cambridge, Mass.) drove an a run with her first triple of the season and McKinnon and classmate Alyssa Begin (Salem, Mass.) drove in runs with RBI singles.
In the fifth, the Nighthawks added an insurance run as Mayjoffo tripled and then scored when the Rams relay throw from the outfield sailed out of play.
In the bottom of the inning, the Rams capitalized on a Newbury error and received another RBI single from McKinnon to pull within one at 8-7.
Begin, who came on in relief in the third inning, retired the Nighthawks in order in the top of the sixth setting the stage for the Rams to finish the comeback in the bottom of the inning.
Begin led off the inning reaching base and advancing to second on a Nighthawk error. After Begin stole third, the Rams had the tying run on third with no outs. Senior Sherren Doyle (Middleboro, Mass.) grounded to second and the Nighthawks made the play at home to erase Begin. Ezold followed with a one out walk and Shea followed with an RBI single through the left side scoring Doyle with the tying run. Senior Alysia Morrissette (Ware, Mass.) walked to load the bases and sophomore Kyle Fortin (Candia, NH) drove home the go ahead run on an RBI fielder's choice. McKinnon reached on an error driving in another run and Faria followed with a two out, two RBI pinch hit single to push the Rams lead to 12-8. Doyle plated three more runs with a double to left and Ezold drove in the final run with a hit to center to reach the final margin. In the decisive sixth inning the Rams used five hits and two errors to score nine runs.
Begin picked up the victory in the circle going four innings and allowing one unearned run on one hit with five strikeouts. Roach picked up the loss for the Nighthawks working 2/3 of an inning in relief and allowing nine runs, two earned, on five hits with a pair of walks.
McKinnon was 3-of-4 in game two with three RBI, while Doyle picked up a pair of hits and drove in three. Mayjoffo led the Nighthawks with a 4-for-4 performance in game two as she scored four runs and drove in two more.
The Rams return to action on Friday with a MASCAC doubleheader at Mass. Maritime beginning at 1 p.m., while the Nighthawks face Lesley on Saturday in a pair of games beginning at noon.