March 26, 2009
Box Score
BOSTON, MA - Freshman pitcher Kara Willis (Burrillville, RI) allowed just one earned run in 10 2/3 innings and sophomore first baseman Elisa LaRoche (Westford, MA) knocked in six runs to lead the University of Massachusetts Boston softball team in a doubleheader sweep over visiting Framingham State College today, winning the first game, 8-1, and the second, 13-9, at the Clark Athletic Center field on the campus of UMass Boston. The Beacons defeated the Rams for the first time since 1996 and earned a twinbill sweep over them for the first time in school history to improve to 3-9 on the season, while Framingham State falls to 0-14.
UMass Boston scored the first seven runs of the game and got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when senior Jenn Widener (Hyde Park, MA) led off the frame with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out single to left field by sophomore second baseman Leigh Hammontree (Westport, MA). The Beacons added three more runs in the third when sophomore Christina Polsonetti (Revere, MA) and freshman shortstop Ashley Faiella (Hyde Park, MA) each drew walks to open the inning to set up a run-scoring single to center field by senior Lauren O'Connor (Everett, MA). Faiella later scored on an error and LaRoche singled home UMass Boston's third run of the inning and fourth of the contest to give the home team a 4-0 lead. The Beacons put up three more runs in the fourth when senior Courtney Haroules (Littleton, MA) drew a two-out walk with the bases full to bring home a run and LaRoche followed with a single to left field to plate two more runs and give UMass Boston a 7-0 advantage. Framingham State cracked the scoring column in the fifth when senior Colleen Clancy (Lynn, MA) reached on a fielder's choice with one out and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-1. The Beacons matched the run in the bottom of the inning to cap the scoring when freshman catcher Lisa Polsonetti (Revere, MA) drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a slap single through the left side off the bat of junior Amanda Cianciulli (Billerica, MA) for a UMB 8-1 lead.
Willis earned the win for the Beacons, allowing just one unearned run on four hits and five walks in seven innings, while fanning six. Freshman Alysia Morrissette (Ware, MA) suffered the loss for Framingham State, allowing eight runs on 11 hits and five walks, while striking out three in six innings of work.
The Rams scored four times in the top of the first in game two, thanks to a bases loaded two-run single by senior Rachel Timmons (Malden, MA) and run-scoring singles by freshman Kelly Reardon (Groveland, MA) and junior Kelsey Curley (Wilbraham, MA). UMass Boston answered with five runs of its own in the bottom of the frame. Christina Polsonetti singled to lead off the frame and later scored when she stole home. Haroules later knocked in a run with a ground out and LaRoche smacked an RBI double to pull UMB to within 4-3. The Beacons took the lead with a pair of runs scoring on wild pitches in the inning. Framingham State reclaimed the lead in the second when freshman Christy Ulak (Rehoboth, MA) and freshman Katie Donovan (Holden, MA) both worked one-out walks. Ulak later scored on an error and Donovan crossed the plate on the back end of a double steal to give the visitors a 6-5 edge. UMass Boston responded in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs of its own. O'Connor reached on a fielder's choice and later scored on a Haroules double. LaRoche then followed with a run-scoring single to give the Beacons the lead it would not relinquish. UMass Boston added three more runs in the third when Christina Polsonetti began a two-out rally with a single and later scored on a wild pitch. LaRoche and Widener later worked free passes with the bases loaded to force in two more runs to give UMB a 10-6 lead. The Rams pulled to within a run in the fourth with three mores scores. Donovan collected a one-out single and the inning looked to be over after a foul out and a strikeout, but the third strike got away to keep the inning alive. Donovan ended up on third and then scored on a double by Reardon, which put runners on second and third base. Senior Katelyn Pacheco (Acushnet, MA), who reached on the strikeout, later scored on a wild pitch and senior Sarah Douillette (Lakeville, MA) brought home the ninth run with a single for Framingham. The Beacons answered with three runs in the same frame thanks to a two-run double by O'Connor, who scored on the same play when the throw to the infield got away and resulted in a two-base error to score her with the 13th and final run of the day for UMB.
Willis picked up her third win of the season for the Beacons in the rain-shortened night cap, giving up three runs (one earned) in three and two-thirds innings on five hits and three walks, while striking out four. Pacheco was saddled with the loss for the Rams after yielding 13 runs (nine earned) on nine hits and eight walks to go with four strikeouts. LaRoche finished the day with four hits for UMass Boston and O'Connor contributed with three hits and three RBI. Reardon and Timmons each collected a pair of hits and drove in two runs to pace Framingham State.
The Beacons will be in action again on Saturday, March 28 when they travel to Willimantic, CT for a Little East Conference doubleheader with Eastern Connecticut State University at 1:00 p.m., while the Rams host Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
