Softball drops a pair of games to Framingham in MASCAC opener

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team walked off with a 7-6 victory in game two to complete a sweep of MCLA in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Maple Street Field.  The Rams took the first game by a score of 10-2 in six innings.

With the wins, the Rams improve to 16-6 overall and 4-0 in the conference, while the Trailblazers are now 0-14 on the year and 0-2 in the MASCAC.

Sophomore Kelsi Gunarathne (North Providence, RI) earned the victory in the opener going six innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits with seven strikeouts.

Senior Kylie Boyle (Billerica, Mass.) paced the Rams at the plate going 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI.  Junior Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.) chipped in with three hits including a double and three RBI, while classmate Anna Dziok (Southampton, Mass.) added a pair of hits, two RBI and three runs scored.

The Trailblazers were paced by Erika Quakenbush (Hoosick Falls, NY) who accounted for both of the Trailblazers runs with a two run homer.  Kaitlyn Berghela added a pair of hits and a run scored.

In game two, the Trailblazers led 6-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Rams rallied for two runs to tie the game.  Junior Bridget McGrail (Worcester, Mass.) grounded out to place the first and an overthrow by the Trailblazers allowed the tying run to cross the plate.

In the top of the seventh, the Trailblazers were retired in order.  In the bottom of the inning, Dziok led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a basehit by Kayla Finacchiaro (Natick, Mass.).  Dziok was lifted for a pinch runner, freshman Kristen Dick (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Dick came around to score the deciding run on a single by Downing.

Finacchiaro earned the win in the circle going an inning and a third in relief allowing no runs on no hits with two strikeouts.

Quackenbush once again paced the Trailblazer offense with three hits and three RBI, while Alexandra Romano added three hits and Kayla Baker chipped in with two and two runs scored.

Finacchiaro led the Rams with two hits, while Jessica Pietersen (Norton, Mass.) and Lauren Salisbury (Cranston, RI) scored two runs apiece.

The Rams are back in action on Tuesday when they host Nichols in a pair of non-conference games beginning at 3 p.m., while MCLA is back in action on Sunday with a pair of MASCAC games at Salem State at 1 p.m.