Teams: Softball: Schedule & Results

COLLEGE SOFTBALL FINAL SCORES
Game 1 - Endicott 2, Tufts 1
Game 2 - Tufts 8, Endicott 3

At Beverly, MA
Monday, April 21, 2008

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

BEVERLY, Mass. -- The 16th ranked Tufts University Softball team and Endicott College split a double-header on Patriot's Day Monday at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. The host Gulls took game one by a score of 2-1, and then Tufts won 8-3 in the second half of the twin-bill.

Game one was a classic pitcher's duel between Endicott senior Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, MA) and Tufts junior Lauren Gelmetti (Westfield, NJ). Both pitchers would combine to allow only three runs on just six total hits.

The Gulls struck first in the home half of the first inning, as sophomore Jenna Lazar (Milton, MA) got things started with a lead-off double down the left field line. After a sacrifice bunt from senior Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME) moved Lazar to third, she scoreD the first run on a throwing error by Tufts. However, the Jumbos came right back in the top of the second inning, getting an RBI single from junior Maya Ripecky (Chicago, IL) to tie the score at one-all.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning when senior Paula McGinn (Lynn, MA) led off for the Gulls with a triple into the left-centerfield gap. Lazar followed by dropping down a squeeze bunt, scoring McGinn with the go-ahead run on a close play at the plate. That was all the runs that Elwell would need, as she retired the Jumbos in order in the seventh for a 2-1 EC victory.

Earning the win, Elwell improves to 10-3 on the season. She surrendered one run on just four hits over seven innings while striking out three. Offensively the Green and Blue were led by Lazar, who was 1 for 2 and scored one of Endicott's runs while driving in the other. Gelmetti took the tough-luck loss for the Jumbos, falling to 8-2 overall. She pitched well, giving up two runs, only one earned, on just two hits over six innings of work. Tufts was led on offense by Ripecky, who was 1 for 2 with an RBI single.

Game two was the exact opposite of the first, with the two teams combining for 11 runs on 29 hits. With Endicott leading 1-0 in the top of the second, the Jumbos put a three spot on the board, getting RBI singles from junior Samantha Kuhles (Somerville, NJ) and junior Laura Chapman (Seattle, WA). The Gulls fought back with a run in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by senior Danielle Sargent. TU then answered right back with another run in the top of the third to keep their two-run lead in tact at 4-2.

After both teams traded runs in the sixth, the Jumbos blew the game open in the top of the seventh scoring three runs on four hits. Junior Cara Hovhanessian (Farmington, CT) and sophomore Christy Tinker (Woodbridge, CT) both collected RBI in the inning, giving Tufts an 8-3 advantage.

Freshman Izzie Santone (Madison, CT) put the finishing touches on the Jumbos win, earning her second save of the season. She held the Gulls scoreless over her 1.2 innings of work allowing just one hit. Tufts starter Stefanie Tong (Burlingame, CA) got the win, giving up three runs on nine hits over 5.1 innings to improve to a perfect 7-0 on the season. Kuhles, Chapman, senior Megan Cusick (Albany, NY), and junior Roni Herbst (Montclair, NJ) all had three hits for Tufts.

Sophomore Maria Mangine suffered her first loss of the season for Endicott, falling to 11-1 overall. She gave up four runs, three earned, on 13 hits. Sargent led the Gulls' offensive attack going 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored.

Tufts is now 22-8 overall. They finish their NESCAC East schedule with a three-game set at Bates this weekend, starting on Friday. With the split against Tufts the Gulls' record moves to 31-4 overall. Endicott will return to the diamond on Wednesday when they travel to Curry College in a TCCC doubleheader.

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