Softball Explodes for Eight Runs in the Eighth to Defeat Salem State, 11-4

Salem, Mass. – The fifth seeded Framingham State University softball team rallied for eight runs in the top of the eighth inning, thanks in part to a three run homer from sophomore Helen Falzone (Ashland, Mass.), to defeat fourth seed Salem State University 11-4 on the road this evening in an opening round game of the 2014 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Softball Championship.

With the win, the Rams improve to 19-18 on the season and advance in the tournament to face top seed Bridgewater State University tomorrow in Bridgewater at 4 p.m.  The Vikings see their season come to an end at 17-21-1.

Tied 3-3 heading into the eighth, the Rams offense took control of the game.  Falzone led off the inning with a triple and after a hit batter scored on an RBI single by senior Andrea Smith (Milford, Mass.).  A Kourtney Kacian (Gardner, Mass.) single loaded the bases for the Rams and freshman Casey Fanning (East Boston, Mass.) delivered with a bases clearing double putting the Rams up 7-3.  After an out, MASCAC Rookie of the Year, Tiffanie Marsh (Tewksbury, Mass.) reached on an error and Fanning scored.  Senior Alyssa Begin (Salem, Mass.) followed with a single and junior Shelby Phillips (Taunton, Mass.) reached on a fielder's choice setting the table for Falzone who launched a three run shot extending the lead to 11-3.

Sophomore Alex Ferri (Winthrop, Mass.) was able to hold the Vikings to just one run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Cara Crowley allowing the Rams to advance.

Ferri went the distance for the Rams allowing four runs, all earned, on 12 hits with six strikeouts and a pair of walks.

Falzone finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI, while Marsh recorded a pair of hits and drove in two.  Fanning and Kacian each went 2-for-4 with Kacian scoring a pair of runs and Fanning driving in three.

The Vikings took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second as Crowley drove in a pair.  The Rams cut the lead in half with a run on a Falzone single in the fourth and took their first lead of the game in the top of the seventh on RBI base hits by freshman Marissa Flynn (Marlborough, Mass.) and Marsh.  The Rams lead was short lived as the Vikings answered in the bottom of the seven with a run tying the game and setting the stage for extras.