UMass Boston Takes Two from Softball

Megan Downing
Recap, photo courtesy of Framingham State

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University softball team dropped a pair of non-conference games this afternoon to UMass Boston by scored of 7-6 and 10-0 in six innings at Maple Street Field.

With the wins, the Beacons improve to 7-11 on the year, while the Rams are now 8-10.

In the opener, the Rams got on the board first with a run in the opening inning.  Senior Dayna Marchant (East Bridgewater, Mass.) tripled to left field and scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center off the bat of classmate Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.).

The Beacons grabbed the lead in the top of the third inning on a two run homer to left by freshman Kelly Danahy (Kingston, Mass.).

The Rams took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth scoring a run on a Beacon error and an RBI single off the bat of freshman Grace Caughey (Mendon, Mass.).

The rams lead did not last long as the Beacon reclaimed the advantage in the top of the fifth.  Sophomore Ari Bilotta (Leominster, Mass.) plated the tying run on a single to center and junior Taylor Pawlina (Woosocket, RI) followed with a two run double for the 5-3 lead.

The Rams tied the game in the bottom of the frame on a two run double by Downing.

The Beacons loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with no outs.  The Rams were able to get the runner at the plate for the first out on a fielder's choice, but freshman Tori Dicenso (Lynn, Mass.) followed with a two run double to center for the 7-5 lead.

The Rams got a run back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Downing to reach the final margin.

Junior Roxanne Vento (Arlington, Mass.) earned the win in the circle for the Beacons going seven innings and allowing six runs, two earned, on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Caughey took the loss for the Rams going two and a third innings of relief and allowing two earned runs on five hits.

The Beacons got on the board with three runs in the top of the first in game two and never looked back.  Pawlina drew a bases loaded walk to plate the first run and an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Dicenso followed.  Giovnna Bonilla (Queens, NY) followed with an RBI single.

An RBI ground out in the top of the second extended the Beacons lead to 4-0 before the visitors tallied three in the top of the fifth and three in the top of the sixth to secure the run rule victory.

Sophomore Jess Greenspan earned the victory in game two going six innings and allowing no runs on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks.

Freshman Marissa Vellucci (Tyngsborough, Mass.) took the loss for the Rams going four innings and surrendering five runs, three earned, on six hits.

The Rams are back in action on Saturday afternoon when they host Westfield State in a MASCAC doubleheader at 1 p.m., while the Beacons host Plymouth State on Saturday in Little East doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.