Softball Advances to MASCAC Tournament Championship Round with 1-0 Victory over Salem State

Framingham, Mass. – Sophomore Kelsi Gunarathne (North Providence, RI ) tossed a complete game one hit shutout as the top seeded Rams defeated third seed Salem State University 1-0 in the semifinal round of the 2017 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Softball Championship Tournament at Maple Street Field. 

With the win, the Rams improve to 29-11 and advance to the championship round of the tournament Sunday afternoon at Maple Street Field at noon. 

With the loss, the Vikings will face Westfield State in an elimination game this afternoon with the winner advancing to face the Rams in the finals tomorrow.

Gunarathne and Salem's Meghan Black (Winchendon, Mass.) were locked in a pitcher's duel.  Black went six innings for the Vikings and allowed just one unearned run on five hits with three strikeouts and a walk.  Gunarathne went seven innings and surrendered just one hit, an infield single to Marisa Sanchez (Framingham, Mass.) in the fourth inning.  Gunarathne retired the first nine hitters of the game and finished with four strikeouts.

The Rams plated the only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Junior Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.) doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a pass ball.  Senior Marissa Flynn (Marlborough, Mass.) plated Downing with a  two out infield single.