Softball Breaks into Win Column with Extra Inning Victory over UNE

Clermont, Fla. – Freshman Anna Dziok (Southampton, Mass.) drove in the game winning run with an infield single, as the Framingham State University softball team recorded their first victory of the season defeating the University of New England 8-7 in eight innings at the NTC Games.  The Rams were defeated by Buffalo State 12-2 in five innings in their second game of the day.

The Rams trailed 7-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning with their lone run – a homerun off the bat of sophomore Tiffanie Marsh (Tewksbury, Mass.) – coming in the bottom of the first inning.   UNE capitalized on two Framingham errors for four runs in the top of the first and tacked on three more in the fourth. 

A grand slam to center field from freshman Bridget McGrail (Worcester, Mass.) pulled the Rams within two at 7-5.  The Rams loaded the bases for McGrail on a fielder's choice, a single from freshman Dayna Marchant (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and a walk by sophomore Kylie Boyle (Billerica, Mass.).

The Rams pulled within one run in the bottom of the sixth.  Freshman Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.) was hit by a pitch and sophomore Marissa Flynn (Marlborough, Mass.) followed with a single to left that was misplayed by the Nor'easters allowing Downing to score from first on the play.

In the bottom of the seventh, Marchant led off the inning with a single and Marsh followed with a walk giving the Rams runners on first and second with no outs.  After a pair of outs, freshman Holly Greet (Raynham, Mass.) singled to left plating Marchant.  The inning ended with the game tying run on third base after a close call at first went in favor of the Nor'easters.

UNE was able to score in their half of the eighth opening the door for the Rams to win the game in the bottom of the inning.  With a runner placed on second to start the inning, Downing reached on a bunt single giving the Rams runners on the corners.  Downing moved to second on a wild pitch and Flynn walked to load the bases for Dziok who delivered the game winning hit.

Marsh earned the victory in the circle for the Rams hurling four and a third innings of scoreless relief.  Marsh allowed just three hits with a strikeout and no walks.

In their second game of the day, the Rams were defeated 12-2 in five innings by Buffalo State.  Marsh suffered the loss going an inning and allowing three unearned runs on two hits with two walks.  McGrail led the Rams at the plate going 2-for-2 with an RBI, while junior Jess Anthony (Stoneham, Mass.) drove in the other run with a bases loaded walk.

The Rams are back in action tomorrow at the NTC Games when they face Hamilton and Lawrence at 9 am 11 a.m.