Softball Takes Opener to Earn Split With Becker

Leicester, Mass. – Sophomore third baseman Jessica Brochu (Hardwick, Vt.) smashed a go-ahead two-run home run to left as host Becker College split their doubleheader against visiting Framingham State University, losing 8-4 in the first game, before coming-from-behind for a 5-4 win in the second in softball action Wednesday afternoon at Russell Field.

The Hawks are now 16-10 on the season while the Rams of Framingham State leave with a 7-21 record.

Becker was behind for much of the second game, as Framingham junior outfielder Alyssa Begin (Salem, Mass.) hit an RBI single in the fourth while sophomore outfielder Tiffany Agostini (Rehoboth, Mass.) drove in two runs in the fifth.

Down 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Becker senior Talan Barron (Methuen, Mass.) got the Hawks on the board with an RBI single to left to score sophomore second baseman Lauren Lavalle (Millbury, Mass.). Two batters later, sophomore shortstop Megan Bolduc (Dover, N.H.) drove in two more runs to tie the game on a double to centerfield. That set the table for Brochu, who put Becker up 5-3 with her team-leading fourth home run of the season.

Framingham attempted to rally in the seventh when Agostini hit a solo shot right field with two outs, pulling to within one. But Becker sophomore pitcher Megan Cordon (Watertown, Conn.) closed out the game, earning her sixth win of the season while allowing only two earned runs in seven innings of work.

Framingham freshman pitcher Alex Ferri (Winthrop, Mass.) struck out three Hawks in the loss, giving up only two hits through the first five innings.

Earlier in the day, Becker took a 3-0 lead in the first game, including an RBI single up the middle by Cordon in the bottom of the first and an RBI groundout from Brochu in the third.

In the top of the fourth, sophomore designated player Shelby Phillips (Taunton, Mass.) hit a two-RBI homer to left for the Rams, followed by a solo shot from freshman catcher Jess Anthony (Stoneham, Mass.) and an RBI single from Begin in the fifth.

In the top of the seventh, Agostini hit a bases-loaded double, driving in more runs. Becker attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh on another RBI single from Cordon, but that was as close as the Hawks could come.

Senior Yaya Faria (Acton, Mass.) pitched seven innings for the win, tallying eight strikeouts. Becker freshman pitcher Kelsey Norberg (Uxbridge, Mass.) had six strikeouts on the day, suffering her first loss in three weeks.

Becker will be back on the field on Saturday when they travel to Lesley University for a doubleheader with the first game at 12:00 p.m. Framingham State hosts MCLA on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Release courtesy of Becker Sports Information.