Boyle Leads Softball to Sweep of Salem State

Framingham, Mass. – Sophomore Kylie Boyle (Billerica, Mass.) hit two homeruns to power the Framingham State University softball team to a pair of victories this afternoon over Salem State University in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Maple Street. The Rams took the opener 4-1 before coming from behind for a 4-2 victory in the nightcap.

With the victories, the Rams improve to 10-14 on the year and are now 4-4 in the conference, while the Vikings fall to13-11 on the year and are 3-3 in the MASCAC.

In the opener, Boyle provided all the offense the Rams would need with a three run homerun to left center in the bottom of the first inning.

Junior Natasha Arseneau (Waltham, Mass.) tossed a gem taking a no hit bid into the fourth inning.  Arseneau improved her season record to 4-7 as she went seven innings allowing just one run on six hits with nine strikeouts. 

Sophomore Tiffanie Marsh (Tewksbury, Mass.) laced an RBI double to right in the bottom of the fourth to extend the Rams lead to 4-0.

The Vikings had a pair of runners eliminated at home plate on hits to the outfield in the fourth inning and the sixth inning as Framingham catcher Marissa Flynn (Marlborough, Mass.) held on for the tag in a pair of collisions at the plate.

The Vikings lone run came off a solo homerun to left by senior Jenn Toussaint (Reading, Mass.) in the top of the seventh inning.

Freshman Rachael Cyr (Amesbury, Mass.) took the loss in the circle for the Vikings going four innings and allowing four earned runs on seven hits with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.

The Vikings grabbed the lead in the top of the third of the nightcap on a sacrifice fly by Toussaint to left.  The Rams took the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two RBI single to right by freshman Bridget McGrail (Worcester, Mass.).

The Vikings knotted the score in the top of the sixth as they loaded the bases with one out setting the stage for a sacrifice fly by junior Rebecca Krigman (Malden, Mass.).  The Vikings would only get the one run as Arseneau was able to record a strikeout to end the inning. 

In the bottom of the sixth, Marsh singled to center with one out and Boyle followed with a two run shot to left put Rams back up 4-2. 

Arseneau retired the Vikings in order in the top of the seventh to record her second win on the day. Arseneau went two innings in relief surrendering one earned run on three hits, while Marsh started the game in the circle for the Rams and went five innings. Marsh allowed just one unearned run on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Meghan Black (Winchendon, Mass.) took the loss for the Vikings going six innings and allowing four earned runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

The Rams are back in action Thursday afternoon when they host Mount Ida in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m., while the Vikings host UMass Dartmouth on Thursday for a pair of games beginning at 4 p.m.