Softball team advances to nightcap

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer

The number 1 seeded Bridgewater State College softball team has won the morning game of the losers bracket of the MASCAC Tournament with a 4-0 win over number 3 seeded Fitchburg State. The Bears improve to 20-19-1 on the season and Fitchburg finishes the season at 19-17.

Junior right-hander Stephanie Pierce went the distance picking up the win. In an impressive 84 pitch performance, Pierce (6-10) went 7 innings giving up 3 hits. She also struck out 6 and walked 1.

Senior Michelle Yuille took the loss for the Falcons. Yuille went 7 innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits. She also struck out 6 and walked 5 batters.

Bridgewater State went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by sophomore center fielder Allie LeBlanc.

Yuille ran into trouble in the bottom of the second, loading the bases on two walks and a single. Bridgewater capitalized and went up 2-0 when junior left fielder Ciana Godin walked in junior first baseman Danielle Trull-Donahue from third.

BSC added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior catcher Lindsey Allison worked a one-out walk and then scored from second on a fielding error by the left fielder, who misplayed a single by sophomore shortstop Whitney Howe. Pinch hitter Erin Christensensen singled in Howe on an RBI single to right field

The Bears will take on the winner of the afternoon game matchup of number 2 seeded Westfield State and number 4 seeded Framingham State.

"It was just finally great to see us come together in a win like this," said Pierce.


Photo 1: Righthander Pierce winds up for the next pitch

Photo 2: Third baseman Stacey Capodice digs a ball out of the dirt to make a play on it

Photos courtesy of Steven M. Miller, Jr


Game Notes:
-Leading the way for the Bears was LeBlanc who went 3-for-3 (with an RBI). Her double in the first extended her hitting streak to 23 games.

-After the game, the softball team ate lunch and relaxed in the shade of the press box while watching the outcome of the Westfield-Framingham State game.