Framingham, Mass.  – The top seeded Framingham State University softball team took game one of the 2021 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Championship Series 6-1 over second seed Bridgewater State at Maple Street Field before the Bears edged the Rams 3-2 in the night cap to force the third and deciding game tomorrow at 12 p.m.

THE BASICS:

- Scores:         MASCAC Championship Series Game 1: Framingham State 6, Bridgewater State 1
                        MASCAC Championship Series Game 2: Bridgewater State 3, Framingham State 2

- Records:      Framingham State (29-7), Bridgewater State (16-9-1)

- Location:     Maple Street Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

MASCAC Championship Game 1 -

• In the opener, the Rams grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a three run homer to deep center off the bat of Kirsten Dick.
• The score would remain 3-0 until the top of the fifth inning.  Emma Healy hit a ball in the whole between third and short that Camille Desrochers was able to knock down, but Kim Scanlon was able to score from second on the play.  Alexandra Ruprecht followed with a single but the runner was thrown out at the plate to end the inning with the Bears trailing 3-1.
• The Rams tacked on three more in the bottom of the sixth extending the lead to 6-1.  Shannon Ward plated a pair with a single down the left field line and pinch hitter Kaylee Nearen followed with an RBI single to center.
• The Bears got the lead off runner on in the top of the seventh, but Ward retired the next three batters to secure the victory.
• Ally Moran earned the victory in the circle for the Rams going five innings allowing one unearned run on five hits with three strikeouts and walk.  Ward earned the save in the circle tossing two scoreless innings.
• Kelley Reichert took the loss in the circle for the Bears going six innings allowing six earned runs on eight hits with six strikeouts.

MASCAC Championship Game 2 -

• In game two, the Bears jumped on the board in the bottom of the on an RBI single from Ruprecht, but the Rams tied the game in the bottom of the inning on an RBI off the bat of Desrochers.
• The Rams grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.  The Rams had runners on first and second and Mercedes Jimenez took third on a pass ball and scored when the throw sailed into the outfield.
• The Bears knotted the score at 2-2 in the top of the sixth on an RBI fielder's choice.
• They retook the lead for good in the top of the seventh inning on a one out solo homer to left off the bat of Ruprecht.
• Gwendolyn Carpenter singled for the Rams in the bottom of the seventh with one out, but Reichert was able to record a pop out and strikeout to secure the victory and force the deciding game.
• Reichert earned the victory in the circle going six and two thirds in relief allowing one unearned run on five hits with nine strikeouts.
• Ward took the loss for the Rams going two and two thirds innings in relief allowing two earned runs on two hits.

UP NEXT:

The Rams and the Bears meet again tomorrow at noon at Maple Street Field with the MASCAC Championship on the line.

Release courtesy of the Framingham State Sports Information Department.