Softball snaps Westfield’s win streak in split doubleheader

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

By Izabela Gage Sports Editor In a conference contest, the Framingham State Rams split a doubleheader against the Westfield State Owls, winning the first game 7-3 and losing the second 6-1 April 19. Their conference record now stands at 8-4, and their overall record is now 13-15. The Owls were undefeated 26-0 until they faced the Rams, who snapped their streak. In the NCAA Power Index rankings, Westfield is ranked ninth in the nation for Division III softball. According to the NCAA website, these rankings are based on an algorithm that uses winning percentage and strength-of-schedule data to determine the postseason tournament field. Sophomore Bella MacDonald said, “Going into Westfield, we needed to take this MASCAC win. Whether it was a sweep or a split, we knew we could do it and needed to. … We just supported each other and went in there and did it. “This win shows that we are a great team. We can compete with the top teams when we play our best,” she added. In the first game, Framingham wasted no time getting on the board. Following a groundout, MacDonald hit a single to right center. Captain Eliza Carignan, a junior, added another single to right field, moving MacDonald into scoring position. Sophomore Amanda Roche delivered with a single, advancing to second on a throwing error by the left fielder and driving in MacDonald for the game’s first run. Captain Jocelyn Pepe, a sophomore, grounded out to end the inning, but Framingham had taken a 1-0 lead on three hits. Westfield went down quietly in the bottom half, with two groundouts and a strikeout. Framingham extended its lead in the second inning. Sophomore Gianna Paolino and freshman Nina Buda went out to start, but sophomore Mikayla Yuricheck doubled to spark the offense. Sophomore Ellie Etemad-Gilbertson followed with an RBI single to center, bringing Yuricheck home. MacDonald then doubled, scoring Etemad-Gilbertson and pushing the lead to 3-0. Westfield managed a single in the bottom of the second from Mia Alfonso, but a fielder’s choice and a double play from Yuricheck to sophomore Ava Gray quickly got rid of the threat. Gray led off the third inning with a single, and Roche followed with another hit. After Pepe flied out, Paolino singled to load the bases. Buda was then hit by a pitch, earning a run as Gray crossed the plate. Yuricheck followed with a single, bringing in Roche and extending the lead to 5-0. After a pitching change, Etemad-Gilbertson struck out, but MacDonald came through again with a single that advanced to second on an error. The play brought in two more runs, as Yuricheck and Buda scored, capping a four-run inning. Carignan grounded out to end the frame, but Framingham had built a commanding 7-0 lead. Yuricheck said, “Personally, I think I did a good job of simplifying my approach at the plate to just hitting line drives up the middle, and that allowed me to see the ball deeper into the zone and execute how I wanted to.” Westfield continued to struggle offensively in the bottom of the third, going down in order. Framingham’s offense slowed slightly as the fourth and fifth innings passed without a run. In the fifth, the Owls earned walks to put two runners on, but pitcher Peyton Farris, a junior, and the Rams’ defense held up with a strikeout, a groundout, and a pop-up ball. Framingham picked up a hit in the sixth when Carignan singled and advanced on a wild pitch, but the Rams were unable to capitalize as a flyout ended the inning. Westfield finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth. They hit a single, followed by a double, to put two runners in scoring position. The Owls then doubled to left field, driving in both runners to cut the deficit to 7-2. After a groundout, they added another double to left field, bringing in their last runner and trimming the lead to 7-3 before the inning ended. The Rams went out in order at the top of the seventh, but Westfield could not continue its rally in the bottom half. A pair of groundouts and a strikeout sealed the 7-3 victory for Framingham. Yuricheck said, “I think our team approached the game with a very positive mindset. We brought a very high level of energy to the game, which fueled our performance tremendously. “We knew they were a top-of-the-conference team, ranked high in the national Division III softball rankings. Coming in there, thinking, ‘Well, why not us? Why can’t we beat that team?’ really helped us,” she added. Etemad-Gilbertson said the team wanted to “challenge Westfield and make them work to try to continue their streak and not just give it to them. We knew we had it in us - we just had to execute, which we did.” Yuricheck said, “As great as the win and breaking their winning streak felt, I think the part that I found the most joy in was how much fun we all had playing together and supporting each other. There’s always a bigger picture to the game, and the level of bonding and support that we had for each other in that game will carry much further than the field.” MacDonald tallied three RBIs in the win. She said, “I stayed consistent by not putting pressure on myself. I was OK with failing and knowing that if I didn’t do the best, my teammates would come behind me and do what needed to be done.” The second game began similarly, with Framingham striking first in the opening inning. Etemad-Gilbertson grounded out to start, but MacDonald drew a walk and moved to second on a groundout. Roche followed with a walk, and Pepe delivered an RBI single up the middle to bring MacDonald home for a 1-0 lead. Westfield responded immediately in the bottom half. The Owls singled, and after a popout, their next batter walked to put two runners on. They then singled to drive in their first runner and tie the game. A fielder’s choice ended the inning with the score even at 1-1. Sophomore Audrey Gauthier singled and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Paolino in the second inning, but she was left stranded. Westfield started the second inning with their first batter reaching and advancing on an error and a wild pitch. Their next two walked to load the bases. Framingham escaped without allowing a run when the Owls’ fourth hitter flied out to center, and MacDonald made the catch. The game settled into a defensive rhythm over the next inning, with both teams going quietly in the third. Framingham went down in order in the fourth, and Westfield took control in the bottom half. Arielle Ostman doubled to left field, and their next batter followed with a walk. Sarah Hough then delivered the biggest swing of the game, a three-run home run that gave the Owls a 4-1 lead. The rally continued with a single and a hit-by-pitch, but a double play from Carignan to Gray ended the inning. The Rams were unable to respond in the fifth despite a Yuricheck single, as Etemad-Gilbertson flied out and MacDonald lined out. Westfield added to its lead in the sixth. After a lineout, Hannah Wodecki homered, followed by a home run from Alfonso. Their next batter added a single, and although the inning ended shortly after, they had taken the lead 6-1. Framingham attempted a late rally in the seventh. Gray singled up the middle, and freshman Maddie Blette doubled to put runners on second and third. A strikeout and a fielder’s choice ended the inning before any runs could be scored, concluding the game in favor of the Owls 6-1. Yuricheck said the team was reading the pitches very well. “We brought a strong plan to the plate with us and executed it well, especially in the first game.” Etemad-Gilbertson said, “The team energy was the best it’s ever been. Everyone was up and cheering the entire time, and we were the most in sync we’ve ever been.” The Rams hosted the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards and split a doubleheader, winning the first game 10-2 and losing the second 4-1 April 21. The Rams traveled to Wellesley College and fell to them 6-4 and 3-1 in a doubleheader April 23. Their overall record is now 14-18, while their conference record remains at 8-4. Framingham hosts the Salem State Vikings for their last home conference matchup of the regular season April 25. Yuricheck said, “As a team, we are focusing on bringing that same level of competitive energy and drive that allowed us to beat Westfield. If we play at that level, the success will be sure to follow.” She added, “We have another big series this weekend against Salem, which is another team at the top of our conference. Getting some wins to close out our season is a crucial piece in earning the playoff run that we want.”