WALTHAM, Mass. – The 18th-ranked Brandeis
University softball team, led by senior hurler Emily
Vaillette's (Milford, N.H./Milford) three-hitter, defeated
visiting Framingham State, 9-1, in the opener of their
regular-season finale doubleheader today, but the Judges couldn't
solve FSC sophomore Alysia Morrissette (Ware, Mass./Ware) in the
second, falling by a 4-1 count.
In the opener, Vaillette improved to 15-4 on the season, by
allowing just three hits and one unearned run in six innings of
work. She struck out seven and did not walk a batter, hitting one.
Vaillette lowered her school single-season record ERA to 1.49 and
won her 38th career game, second on Brandeis's all-time
list. It was her fifth start this season with three of fewer hits
allowed.
Offensively, sophomore 1B Marianne Specker (So.
Windsor, Conn./Westminster School) was the big hitter for the
Judges, going 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored and three RBI.
Specker drove in a run in the first inning with a single to left
and added two more in the third inning with a home run to right
field, the game's only extra-base hit.
Junior 2B Melissa Cagar (Ridgewood,
N.J./Ridgewood) also went 2-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and
three stolen bases, giving her 29 for the season. With the three
steals, Cagar moved within three of her own single-season record
and increased her career-record total to 71. Cagar's RBI single in
the sixth inning provided the walk-off hit. Senior SS
Chelsea Korp (Worcester, Mass./Holy Name) also had
two hits, an RBI and a run scored in the contest.
In game two, FSC's Morrissette and Brandeis senior Allie
Mussen (Franklin Square, N.Y./Carey) were locked in a
pitcher's duel for six innings. The Rams got on the board in the
first inning with an unearned run, as senior CF Megan Dumas
(Holden, Mass./Wachusett Regional) reached on an error to lead off
the game. She was erased on a fielder's choice, but rookie LF
Kendra Fisher (Abington, Mass./Abington) stole second. After a
walk, sophomore 1B Alyssa Shea (Lakeville, Mass./Apponequet)
singled through the left side to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Mussen settled down and did not allow another Framingham State
hit until the seventh inning, but the Judges had just as much
trouble with Morrissette. Brandeis put two runners on with one out
in the first inning when Specker walked and sophomore LF
Brittany Grimm (Perkiomenville, Pa./Perkiomen
Valley) singled, but Morrissette got a strikeout and a fly out to
get out of trouble. She did not allow another until Grimm returned
to the plate in the fourth and singled, but the Judges did not
capitalize after Grimm was called out for leaving first too early.
Brandeis finally plated a run in the bottom of the fifth.
Sophomore CF Lauren Porcaro (Shrewsabury,
Mass./Shrewsbury) doubled to left field with one away. She moved to
third on a slow tapper back to the mound by sophomore pinch hitter
Lara Hirschler (Bellmore, N.Y./JFK) and scored on
a wild pitch, knotting the game at 1-1. Korp followed with a single
and steal of second, but could not get any further. The Judges put
runners on the corners with one out in the sixth, but could not
produce a run as Morrissette induced a pair of infield grounders to
prevent further damage.
The Ram bats finally got to Mussen in the top of the seventh.
With one away, sophomore 3B Krystina Smyth (Orleans, Mass./Nauset
Regional) singled to right for the visitors' first hit since the
first inning. Mussen followed with a strike out, but Dumas followed
with a blooper that fell just inside the left-field foul line,
putting runners on first and second. Fisher followed with an RBI
double to right-center field to put FSC ahead, 2-1, and sophomore
SS Christy Ulak (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) followed with a
two-run single to right that added some insurance.
Morrissette retired the side in order in the bottom of the frame
to earn the win, improving to 6-12 on the season. She struck out
four and walked just one, allowing six hits in seven innings.
Mussen suffered her first loss of the season, falling to 4-1, after
allowing five hits in seven innings, striking out four, walking
three and hitting one batter. Grimm was the game's only multiple
hitter, while Ulak had two RBI for the visitors.
Brandeis closes its regular season with a record of 27-7-1 and
awaits word of a possible postseason berth when the NCAA tournament
is announced on May 10. Framingham State moves to 16-20 and plays a
MASCAC Tournament quarterfinal game Thursday at Worcester State at
4 p.m.
BRANDEIS-FRAMINGHAM STATE GAME ONE BOX SCORE
BRANDEIS-FRAMINGHAM STATE GAME TWO BOX SCORE
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