Softball falls to Bears in MASCAC quarterfinals

By Izabela Gage

Sports Editor

Despite having a two-run lead in the third inning, the fourth-seeded Framingham State Rams were defeated by the fifth-seeded Bridgewater State Bears in an upset quarterfinal win at home May 5.

This loss concludes their season with a conference record of 10-6 and an overall record of 17-22.

Bridgewater struck first in the top of the first inning. Angelina Lynch set the tone with a leadoff double to left field, immediately putting pressure on the Rams’ defense. 

After a strikeout recorded the first out, Makayla Ansell reached on an error, allowing Lynch to move to third. The pressure continued as their next batter made it to second on a throwing error, while both Lynch and Ansell scored unearned runs. 

Though Framingham limited further damage with a groundout and pop-up to end the inning, Bridgewater had claimed a 2-0 lead.

Framingham responded quickly in the bottom half, when sophomore Ellie Etemad-Gilbertson worked a leadoff walk, and sophomore Isabella MacDonald followed by reaching on an error, and Etemad-Gilbertson advanced to third. 

Captain Eliza Carignan, a junior, delivered a double to left field to drive in Etemad-Gilbertson and push MacDonald to third. 

Sophomore Ava Gray grounded out, but the play allowed MacDonald to score an unearned run while Carignan advanced to third. 

Captain Jocelyn Pepe, a sophomore, then reached on another error, bringing Carignan home for another unearned run.

Sophomore Amanda Roche added a single to center, and although the rally stalled with two runners left on base, the Rams had taken a 3-2 advantage.

Bridgewater started the second inning with a double from Victoria Becker and a bunt single by Isabel Bishop, immediately placing runners at the corners. 

After Bishop stole second, Sidney Schwartz grounded out to the freshman shortstop Nina Buda, bringing Becker home to tie the game while Bishop moved to third. 

Their next batter flied out to MacDonald for the second out, but Sydney Schaefer followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Bishop and reclaiming the lead for Bridgewater. 

The Bears loaded the bases once again, but the Rams ended the inning with a groundout, limiting Bridgewater to two runs.

Framingham answered again in the bottom of the second. After a flyout, Etemad-Gilbertson and MacDonald drew consecutive walks. 

A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, setting the stage for Carignan once more. She delivered the biggest swing of the game for Framingham, launching a three-run home run that brought all runners home and put the Rams back in front. 

The Bears made a pitching change, and Framingham was retired in order from there, but the Rams were in the lead 6-4.

Bridgewater was held without a hit in the third inning, though an error allowed a runner to reach before a groundout to pitcher Peyton Farris, a junior, ended the frame. 

Framingham’s offense went down in order with a flyout and two strikeouts. 

In the fourth inning, though, Bridgewater reignited, starting with a hit by pitch on Lynch, who later stole second. 

Two singles loaded the bases with only one out. Olyvia Mendonca then delivered a double to left field, driving in two runs to give Bridgewater the lead. 

The inning continued as a fielder’s choice, and a single from Becker brought in another run, and an additional fielder’s choice plated one more. 

A pop-up hit to freshman Mikayla Yuricheck ended the inning, but the Bears took an 8-6 advantage.

Framingham had an opportunity to respond in the bottom half of the fourth but was unable to generate momentum. A strikeout opened the inning before Etemad-Gilbertson reached on a throwing error. 

A pop-up and another strikeout ended the chance to score, unfortunately, leaving the Rams still trailing.

The Bears recorded two hits in the fifth inning but could not extend their lead, as the Rams’ defense worked to not allow a run, with a groundout to Buda, a flyout to Etemad-Gilbertson, and a lineout to Carignan.

Framingham was unable to answer in the bottom half, drawing a walk but failing to record a hit. 

Bridgewater retired in order in the top of the sixth inning, with two groundouts and Ferris striking out their last batter.

In the bottom of the sixth, Buda provided a spark with a leadoff double to left field. 

Yuricheck followed with a sacrifice fly that advanced Buda to third. However, Framingham could not bring the run home, as a flyout and a lineout ended the inning, preserving the Bears' lead.

Yuricheck said, “My approach after not executing on the sacrifice bunt was that I just really needed to put the ball in play to the right side of the field, so the result that I got was not something I was mad about.”

Bridgewater’s offense was again quiet in the seventh, going down with a groundout, a flyout, and a pop-up. 

In the bottom half, Carignan struck out to begin the inning, followed by a flyout from Gray. 

Pepe kept the game alive with a single to left field, and Roche made solid contact, lining out to center field, but the Bears’ outfield made the catch to end the game.

Buda said the team’s focus going into the game was having a “positive mindset, thinking one play at a time, competing, and having fun.”

Yuricheck said, “I am really proud of the energy and fight that our team showed throughout the game. We never gave up through the adversity that we faced from Bridgewater, and that kept us in the game until the final outs were made.”

Carignan said despite the outcome, “I’m really proud of the way we competed the entire game. We stayed together, kept our energy up, and didn’t give up no matter the situation. That kind of fight and support for each other says a lot about who we are as a team.”

Etemad-Gilbertson earned a spot on the MASCAC All-Conference First Team, while Carignan and Pepe were named to the MASCAC All-Conference Second Team May 6.

Carignan tallied two hits, one home run, and four RBIs in the loss. She said, “I went up to each at-bat with confidence and trusted my approach. I know my team relies on me to bring in runs, so I focus on staying in my zone and blocking everything else out.”

She added, “At the same time, success like that comes from the whole team - I couldn’t have driven in those runs without the girls in front of me getting on base.”

With no seniors, the entire team will be returning next season. Buda said, “It’ll be nice to just be able to get into things and already be connected from this season next year. I’m excited to compete with the same group again and see how much more we grow, as we’ll have two years together by the end.”

Yuricheck said, “Throughout the season, we were able to bond a lot as a team, and we gained the experience of playing in a playoff game together, which is an experience that is vital to making an even more successful run next season. 

“I love playing with this team every day, and can't wait to see the success unfold next season after an off-season filled with determination,” she added.

Carignan said she thinks being a young team is “going to make a huge difference. We’re building strong chemistry and trust with each other, and having everyone come back means we can keep growing from where we left off. 

“I’m really excited to see how much we improve together and what we can accomplish as a group next season,” she added.