Softball Secures 2021 MASCAC Regular Season Title with Sweep of Salem State

Framingham, Mass.  – The Framingham State University softball team hit five homeruns as they secured the 2021 MASCAC Softball Regular Season Title with a sweep of Salem Statin in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader at Maple Street Field.  The Rams took the opener 2-0 before securing the sweep with a 7-1 win in game two.

THE BASICS:

- Scores:         Game 1: Framingham State 2, Salem State 0
                        Game 2: Framingham State 7, Salem State 1

- Records:      Framingham State (22-6, 8-0 MASCAC), Salem State (2-12, 2-6 MASCAC)

- Location:     Maple Street Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Game 1 -

• In the opener, the Rams received all the runs they would need in the top of the first.  Grace Swanson led off with a walk for the Rams. After a pair of outs, Kirsten Dick belted a two run homer to center for the 2-0 lead.
• The Vikings, who were the home team in both of today's games that were originally scheduled to be played in Salem, threatened in the bottom of the third inning when they loaded the bases with one out.  Rams pitcher Ally Moran was able to record a strikeout and Camille Desrochers made a diving play at short to end the inning.
• Moran earned the shutout victory improving her season record to 9-3. Moran went the distance and allowed no runs on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
• Sierra Ricci took the loss in the circle for the Vikings going seven innings allowing two earned runs on four hits with 11 strikeouts and a walk.

Game 2 -

• In game two, the Vikings took the early lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning on a bloop single from Shyanne Greene.
• The Rams took the lead for good in the top of the third inning on their first homer of the game – a two run shot off the bat of Mercedes Jimenez.
• Kaylee Nearen pushed the lead to 3-1 with her first solo homer of the day in the top of the fourth inning.
• The Vikings threatened in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded and one out, but Shannon Ward was able to record a strikeout and long fly ball to end the inning.
• Desrochers made her 100^th career hit count in the top of the fifth as she crushed a two run homer to left. Laela Pepin added an RBI double in the inning extending the lead to 6-1.
• Nearen belted her second solo homer of the game in the top of the sixth to reach the final margin.
• Ward earned the victory in the circle tossing a complete game allowing one unearned run on seven hits with five strikeouts.
• Grace DuBois took the loss for the Vikings going three innings and allowing two earned runs.

UP NEXT:

The two teams meet again tomorrow back at Maple Street Field for a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.