Teams: Softball: Press Releases

Monday, April 7, 2008

PITCHER STEFANIE TONG EARNS THREE WINS, NESCAC SOFTBALL WEEKLY AWARD

MEDFORD -- Sophomore Stefanie Tong (Burlingame, CA) was in the pitcher's circle for three of the Tufts softball team's six victories last week. That success has earned her the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Pitcher of the Week honor.

Tong started the second game of a double-header against Bridgewater State College Thursday on home opening day for the Jumbos at Spicer Field. During the team's NESCAC East opening series versus Bowdoin at Spicer, she pitched in relief in the first game of a double-header on Saturday and then started game three on Sunday.

Tong pitched a complete-game four-hitter against Bridgewater State in a 5-1 Tufts victory. The lone run was unearned and she struck out seven. In game one against Bowdoin, she entered with the Jumbos trailing 3-0. In five innings, she quieted the Polar Bear offense on three hits and no runs. The Jumbos came back for a 5-3 victory. In game three against Bowdoin, Tong pitched 6.2 innings and earned her third victory of the week.

Her totals in the three games were 18.2 innings, four runs (three earned) and 12 hits allowed and 13 strikeouts. Tong improved to 4-0 overall for 2008 with a 2.57 earned run average.

This was the second weekly honor earned by the Jumbos this season. Junior 3B Samantha Kuhles (Somerville, NJ) was the first NESCAC Player of the Week on March 24 after the team returned from its spring trip to California.

Tufts, ranked #23 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, is 13-6 overall and 3-0 in the NESCAC East Division.

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