Softball Opens 2013 Season with a Pair of Losses at the NTC Games

Clermont, Fla. – The Framingham State University softball team opened the 2013 season this morning at the NTC Games and loss a pair of games to Hope College and Macalester University.  The Rams were defeated by Hope 5-1 in the day's opening game and fell 8-4 in the nightcap against Macalester.

The Rams committed four errors in the first three innings against Hope allowing the Flying Dutch to plate four unearned runs and stake themselves a 4-0 lead.

Framingham State pushed a run across in the bottom of the third to cut into the deficit.  Junior Kyle Fortin (Candia, NH) led off the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a single down the left field line off the bat of sophomore Shelby Phillips (Taunton, Mass.). Both runners advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt from junior Alyssa Begin (Salem, Mass.) and Fortin scored on an illegal pitch.

Macalester added another run in the top of the fifth as Kate Laverty scored on a wild pitch to reach the final margin.

Sophomore Natalie Hiser recorded the victory in the circle for the Flying Dutch as she tossed 4.1 innings of scoreless relief without surrendering a hit while striking out seven.  Senior Yaya Faria (Acton, Mass.) picked up the loss for the Rams going five innings and allowing five runs, one earned, on four hits.

In game two, Macalester struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning, but the Rams answered in the top of the second to tie the score.  Junior Andrea Smith (Milford, Mass.) walked and scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Phillips.

Macalester answered with a run in the bottom of the inning on a two out RBI double by Hali Englert (Castle Rock, Colo.).

The Rams took their first lead of the game (3-2) in the top of the fourth inning.  Freshman Jess Anthony (Stoneham, Mass.) laced a double to left center to lead off the inning and scored a batter later on a Macalester throwing error.  Phillips singled and moved to second on a groundout.  After senior Taylor Ezold (Westfield, Mass.) worked a walk, sophomore Tiffany Agostini (Rehoboth, Mass.) single to center driving in Phillips.

The Rams lead would prove to be short lived as Macalester plated three runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to take control of the game.  Framingham State added one more run in the sixth on Agostini's second RBI single of the game.

Sophomore Brittany Ehmann earned the victory for Macalester going seven innings and allowing four runs, all earned, on seven hits with six strikeouts and six walks.  Freshman Alex Ferri (Winthrop, Mass.) made her first collegiate start and was tagged with the loss allowing five runs, three earned, on six hits in four innings of work.

The Rams return to action tomorrow at the NTC Games when they play Wellesley College at 9 a.m. and Calvin at 11 a.m.