Anthony's 3-Run Home Run Powers Softball to Split with Westfield State

Westfield, Mass. – Framingham State University and Westfield State University split a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) softball doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

Framingham (5-13, 3-1 MASCAC) pulled out a 7-5 victory in the opener, powered by freshman Jessica Anthony's (Stoneham, Mass.) three-run homer in the 10^th inning. Westfield (4-13, 2-2 MASCAC) won the nightcap led by the two-hit pitching of sophomore Emily Mailloux.

In the first game, Westfield took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when Kat Robinson delivered an RBI single and scored herself on a three-base fielding error by the right fielder.

The Rams took advantage of three Owl errors on three consecutive batters in the top of the seventh inning to send the game into extra frame. Two dropped outfield fly balls and a throwing error on a sacrifice hit scored the tying run. Westfield got out of a one-out bases loaded jam but the Owls went down in order in the seventh on three strikeouts.

In the 10^th inning, Anthony slugged her three-run homer over the leftfield fence with no outs for a 5-2 Framingham advantage. The Rams tacked two additional key runs in the inning on a two-run single by senior Taylor Ezold (Westfield, Mass.).

Westfield rallied for three runs in the home half of the 10^th but the Owls stranded a runner at third base to end the game.

Framingham scored its first run in the first inning. A hit batter, an error, and a walk loaded the bases. Sophomore Tiffany Agostini (Rehoboth, Mass.) then drew a one-out walk with the bases loaded.

Westfield junior Kelley Fluet was the tough-luck losing pitcher as allowed six hits, walked five and fanned seven in a complete-game effort. 

Framingham's Yaya Faria (Acton, Mass.) also went the distance on the mound. She surrendered seven hits and a walk and struck out 14.

Rapping two hits for the Owls were Breanne Bisceglia, Robinson and Molly Dunbar.

In the second game, Mailloux did not issue a walk and struck out seven in her two-hit pitching gem.

The Owls collected five hits in the game and scored both runs (second and sixth innings) on wild pitches.

Freshman designated hitter Emilie Manna was 2 for 3 for the Owls and Bisceglia doubled.

Sophomore Kelly Naegelin (Scituate, Mass.) doubled for one of the Rams two hits and classmate Shelby Phillips (Taunton, Mass.) singled for the other.

The Rams return to action on Monday with a non-conference doubleheader at Lesley University beginning at 3:30 p.m.