Softtball team advances to the championship game

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer


-The number one seeded Bridgewater State College softball team came from behind to take the 3-1 victory over number 2 seeded Westfield State. Bridgewater State improves to 21-19-1 with the win and Westfield State finishes the season at 20-14.

With the win the BSC softball team will play in the championship game tomorrow versus number 4 seeded Framingham State. To win the championship, the Bears will have to take two games, because Framingham does not have a loss

Freshman southpaw Erin Christensen picked up the win in relief of starter Stephanie Pierce. Pierce went 3 innings, giving up 1 run (zero earned) on 4 hits. Christensen came on in the fourth and pitched four innings of shut out relief. She only gave up 3 hits and struck out 3 batters.

Sophomore right-hander Casey Ridell took the loss for Westfield State. She went 5 2/3 innings giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits. She also struck 4 batters and walked no one.

Facing a late 1-0 deficit, the Bears rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore left fielder Megan Noyes started the rally with a single to left field and advanced to second on a bunt. Sophomore centerfielder Allie LeBlanc singled to the gap in right centerfield and Noyes scored a run that tied on a throw that was cut off by the first baseman.

Christensen reached first on a single and was pinch ran for by Melissa McNamara. Upon coming into the game, McNamara stole an open second base.


With one out and runners on second and third, Westfield State coach called for a relief pitcher. She called for sophomore Chelsea Sylvia, who had pitched in the afternoon game versus Framigham State.

After striking out the first batter, Sylvia then allowed a double down the right field line to pinch hitter Katie Holbrook. Holbrooks double scored the go-ahead and insurance runs.


Christensen came into the top of the seventh and retired the side to end the game.

The Bears were led by LeBlanc, who was 1-for-3, with a run and an RBI. With her single in the sixth inning, she extended her hitting streak to 24 games.


Photo 1: Sophomore centerfielder Allie LeBlanc steps in to look at a pitch

Photo 2: Junior rightfielder Ciana Godin gets ready to advance on a base hit

Photos courtesy of Steven M. Miller, Jr

-The Comment will wrap up its coverage of the game with some post game quotations from Coach Janet Maguire and junior Katie Holbrook.