Softball Returns to Action vs. Framingham State in 2021 Season-Opener

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – After a 370 day layoff due to the COVID19 pandemic, the Emmanuel College softball team returned to action Wednesday afternoon for a non-conference twinbill with Framingham State University. The Rams captured both games by scores of 7-1 (GM1) and 3-2 (GM2) to open the year at 2-0 while the Saints drop to 0-2.

THE BASICS 

Score: 
Emmanuel College, 1; Framingham State University, 7
Emmanuel College, 2, Framingham State University, 3
Records: 
Emmanuel College Saints (0-2, 0-0 GNAC)
Framingham State University Rams (2-0, 0-0 MASCAC)
Location: Framingham, Mass. – Maple Street Field
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

• The Rams did all the damage they'd need in the first inning, scoring four runs on a pair of homers to take the lead for good. Senior shortstop Camille Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) led off the game with a solo blast to make it 1-0. Following a pair of walks by EC sophomore hurler Tianna Dawe (Lynn, Mass.), junior outfielder Laela Pepin (Acushnet, Mass.) made EC pay and belted a three-run shot to center to bump the lead to 4-0.
• FSU add to its lead in the fourth, plating two more runs without a hit in the frame, capitalizing on two more walks and an Emmanuel throwing miscue in the field to make it a 6-0 score.
• EC plated its first run of the season in the top of the fifth as sophomore Jadynne Hill (Haverhill, Mass.) scored on an RBI fielder's choice hit by junior Renae Lacroix (Cumberland, R.I.) to cut the deficit to 6-1.
• Framingham State tacked on the game's final run in the sixth inning to account for the 7-1 final when sophomore Gwendolyn Carpenter (Ashley Falls, Mass.) singled down the left field line to knock in sophomore catcher Zoe Smyth (Cambridge, Mass.) who had reached via another Emmanuel base on balls.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Sophomore pitcher Ally Moran (Wilmington, Mass.) went the distance for the Rams, hurling seven innings of three-hit ball, allowing just the one run (unearned) while striking out four to earn the win.
• Dawe suffered the loss despite collecting eight strikeouts over four innings of work.
• Five of the seven FSU runs scored were players that reached base via a walk while the other two were the home run hitters.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 2)

• The Saints opened the scoring in the second inning to jump out to a 1-0 lead. After two quick outs to open the frame, freshman shortstop Olivia Conti (Cranston, R.I.) notched her first collegiate hit with a single to left-center. Following a walk to Hill, Lacroix singled to left to drive in Conti and put the visitors on top by one.
• In the third, the Rams again retired the first two EC batters before a two-out rally. Junior catcher Avery Webb (Hollis, N.H.) worked the two-out walk and came around to score on an RBI double by sophomore third baseman Maegan Amsler (Hanover, Mass.) to double the lead to 2-0.
• After three solid innings to open the game, Emmanuel senior pitcher Megan Long (Greenville, R.I.) struggled to find the plate in the fourth surrendering four walks, three of which would come around to score despite only one FSU hit in the stanza to give the hosts a 3-2 advantage.
• Sophomore Shannon Ward (Newport, R.I.) did the rest, shutting down the Saints with four scoreless innings of relief work that included 11 consecutive outs to close the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ward improves to 1-0, allowing just two hits over four innings while striking out three.
• Long tossed well in defeat, surrendering the three runs on only three hits, striking out eight while giving up six walks.
• Lacroix finished the game going 2-4 while Pepin was the only Ram with multiple hits, going 2-3.

UP NEXT

• Emmanuel is idle until Thursday, March 25 when they host Suffolk University at Clemente Field in their 2021 home-opener. It will also mark the first time the Saints have taken Clemente Field for official action since May 2, 2019 when they bested Saint Joseph's (ME) in the GNAC tournament, 4-2.
• Framingham returns to the diamond this Saturday, March 20 to also play Suffolk University with first-pitch scheduled for 12:00 PM at Maple Street Field.