Softball Falls Short Against UMass Boston

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning but fell short as they were defeated 15-14 by the University of Massachusetts Boston in a non-conference softball game this afternoon at Maple Street.

With the victory the Beacons improve to 3-11 on the year, while the Rams dip to 8-12 with the loss.

Beacon senior Michelle Zullo (Everett, Mass.) came on with no outs in the bottom of the seventh after the Rams scored five runs.  Zullo recorded three straight outs to earn her first save of the season.

Senior Samantha Hemstock (Northford, Conn.) got the Beacons on the board in the top of the first inning with a three run homerun to center.  The Rams tied the game in the bottom of the inning on RBI singles from sophomore Tiffanie Marsh (Tewksbury, Mass.) and freshman Bridget McGrail (Worcester, Mass.) and a sacrifice fly from freshman Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.).

The Beacons took the lead for good in the top of the second with a pair of runs and then exploded for six runs in the top of the third to open up an 11-3 lead.  The Beacons batted around in the third and received RBI hits from senior Lyndsey Capra (Lowell, Mass.), freshman Morgan Bishop (Ramsey, NJ), junior Haley Dutton (Milton, Mass.), Hemstock and senior Kirsten Morrison (North Reading, Mass.).

The Rams countered with four in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Downing and two runs came in to score on an error in the Beacons infield.  Downing scored the final run of the inning to pull the Rams back within four (11-7).

The Beacons tacked on one more in the fourth and three in fifth to extend the lead to 15-7. The Rams came back with two in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double from junior Jess Anthony (Stoneham, Mass.) to cut the deficit to six.

Freshman Dayna Marchant (East Bridgewater, Mass.) walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of seventh.  Marsh followed with a single to center that was misplayed by the Beacons outfield allowing all four runs to score and pull the Rams within one.  Zullo came on in relief and recorded the final three outs.

Marsh suffered the loss for the Rams going six inning allowing 15 earned runs on 20 hits with three walks and a strikeout.  Freshman Kaera Wyse (Danvers, Mass.) earned the victory going six innings allowing 14 runs, nine earned, on 13 hits with seven walks and two strikeouts.

The Rams are back in action Saturday when they travel to Westfield State for a MASCAC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., while the Beacons host Rhode Island College on Saturday for a pair of Little East contests beginning at 1 p.m.