Softball Takes a Pair from UMass Dartmouth

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team received a pair of strong pitching performances from sophomore Tiffanie Marsh (Billerica, Mass.) and junior Natasha Arseneau (Waltham, Mass.) as the Rams swept UMass Dartmouth in a non-conference doubleheader at Maple Street.  The Rams won the opener 8-3 and took the nightcap 4-2.

With the victories, the Rams improve to 5-10 on the year, while the Corsairs fall to 3-7.

In the opener, the Corsairs grabbed the early lead in the top of the second inning on an RBI ground out from junior Amanda McHugh (North Kingstown, RI), but the Rams tied the game in the bottom of the inning on back-to-back doubles from freshman Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.) and sophomore Danielle Belliveau (Lakeville, Mass.).  Belliveau scored from third on a wild pitch to put the Rams on top for good.

The Rams tacked on two more in the third on an RBI triple by sophomore Kylie Boyle (Billerica, Mass.) and a sacrifice fly from freshman Bridget McGrail (Worcester, Mass.).

The Corsairs got one back in the top of the fourth on a solo homerun to left center from junior Rachel Carey (Holbrook, Mass.).

The Rams extended their lead with four in the bottom of the fourth including a solo homerun by Belliveau and a two run shot to center from Marsh.

The Corsairs added one more in the top of the seventh on an RBI single from sophomore Marissa Spinuzzi (Fair Lawn, NJ) to reach the final differential.

Marsh recorded the victory for the Rams going seven innings allowing three runs, two earned, on eight hits with three strikeouts.  Shannon Orton (Swansea, Mass.) was tagged with the loss going four innings and surrendering eight runs, five earned, with two strikeouts.

Arseneau was solid in game two tossing the complete game.  Arseneau went seven innings allowing two runs, both unearned, on four hits with a career-high ten strikeouts.

The Rams took the lead in the bottom of the first inning of game two. Dayna Marchant drove in a run with a ground out and Marsh followed with a solo homerun to center field.  McGrail scored on a ball that was misplayed in the Corsairs outfield for the third run of the inning.

UMass Dartmouth got one back in the top of the second as they capitalized on a Rams throwing error that allowed Mary Pieroni (Arlington, Mass.) to score from first on a sacrifice bunt.

The Corsairs took advantage of another Framingham miscue to plate their second run of the game in the fifth.  Framingham answered in the top of the inning with an insurance run on an RBI single to right by Boyle.

The Rams are back in action on Friday when they host MCLA in MASCAC action, while UMass Dartmouth hosts Plymouth State on Saturday in Little East action.