Framingham Sweeps Owls, Spoils Shutout in Extra Innings

Framingham State softball swept Westfield State University in a doubleheader on Saturday, with the Owls outlasted in extras 4-1 in game one, and defeated 7-1 in game two

Game 1:

It was a pitcher's duel in game one of the doubleheader at Westfield State University as Owls starter Emily Arredondo (Woburn, Mass.) and Rams pitcher Ally Moran (Wilmington, Mass.)  dueled through through seven scoreless frames, before Framingham erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth.

In the top half of the eighth inning, using the international tiebreaker, the Rams put the first runs on the board, taking advantage of some defensive miscues by the Owls. The Rams immediately put the pressure on the Owls, loading up the bases with nobody out. Gwen Carpenter drew a walk, which to drive in the first run of the game.

On the next at bat, chaos ensued as a ground ball was hit back to Arredondo. The runner from third was thrown out at the plate, and in an effort to spin a double play at first, the ball was thrown into right field. Another throwing error on the play would lead to two more runs scoring on the play. Framingham would add another run on a Kristen Dick  (Tewksbury, Mass.) RBI single to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Owls scored one run in the bottom half of the inning with Madison Philbrook (Westhampton, Mass.) recording the RBI on a base hit

Moran recorded her fourth win of the season. Arredondo (1-2) took the hard-fought loss as the Owls bats were held to just three hits.

Arredondo allowed four runs (but only one earned) and struck out six in eight innings of work. Moran kept the Owls guessing all game as she allowed three hits and recorded seven strikeouts while not walking a batter.

Arredondo recorded one of the Owls three hits with a double to left-center field. Farrah Adam (West Springfield, Mass.) also doubled to left.

Game 2:

In game two of the twin-bill set, the Rams offense was too much to overcome. Owls first-year pitcher Stephanie Scoville (Northfield, Mass.) got the start for the Owls in game two, allowing seven runs on ten hits while striking out seven and walking two. She was relieved by fellow first-year pitcher Kiki Carrigan (North Adams, Mass.) who pitched a clean seventh inning. Kayla Castellano (Bethpage, N.Y.) drove in the only run of the game for the Owls.

The top of the order for the Rams proved to be the difference maker in game two. Grace Swanson (Lincoln, R.I.) and Camille Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) each recorded three hits in the game, while Kirsten Dick (Tewksbury, Mass) and Laela Pepin (Acushnet, Mass.) collected two hits apiece. Pepin also got the start for the Rams in the second game. She pitched a complete game, allowing four hits, two walks and piling up eight strikeouts. Pepin (2-0) received the win for the Rams. Scoville (1-1) took the loss in the game.

Westfield State drops to (2-4, 0-2 MASCAC) on the season and will look to rebound Friday in a doubleheader against Fitchburg State at Westfield State University. The Rams improved to (9-1, 2-0 MASCAC) overall and will host Mass. Maritime on Saturday, April 3^rd.  (Note: both games played today were non-conference games).    

-- written by Steve Moussette, Westfield State sports info intern