Softball Closes Record Breaking Season with 1-0 Loss to Babson in NCAA Tournament
Babson Park, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team closed their season this afternoon with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to host Babson College in nine innings in an elimination game of the NCAA Tournament at the Babson Park Regional.
The Rams (31-13), who defeated Lesley University earlier in the day for the program's first NCAA Tournament victory, close the season with a school record 31 victories.
The Rams received an outstanding pitching performance from junior Jessica Pietersen (Norton, Mass.) who was locked in a pitcher's duel with Babson's Ali Reilly through nine innings. Pietersen eventually took the loss allowing just one earned run on seven hits, while Reilly carried a no hitter into the ninth.
Junior Dayna Marchant (East Bridgewater, Mass.) broke up Reilly's no hit bid with a two out infield single in the bottom of the ninth. Reilly retired the first 20 Rams she faced in the game and did not allow a base runner until junior Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.) worked a two out walk in the seventh.
The Beavers tallied the only run of the game in the top of the ninth. Ashley Tango reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a wild pitch. Freshman Tori Roche followed with a double to the gap in right center scoring the game's only run.
Babson improves to 30-15 and advance to face Rowan tomorrow in the Regional Finals.