Softball splits doubleheader against Anna Maria

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

By Izabela Gage

Sports Editor

In their first conference doubleheader, the Framingham State Rams lost the first game, but came for redemption in the second against the Anna Maria Amcats March 29. After this loss and win, their conference record now stands at 1-1, and their overall record is 5-9. The Rams opened the first inning with immediate pressure, as sophomore Ellie Etemad-Gilbertson earned a walk, then moved into scoring position with a stolen base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Though sophomore Isabella MacDonald popped up for the first out, Captain Eliza Carignan, a junior, capitalized on the opportunity, grounding out to shortstop and driving in Etemad-Gilbertson for the game’s opening run. Sophomore Amanda Roche struck out to end the inning, but the Rams had established a 1-0 lead. The early advantage was reinforced by a dominant performance in the circle by sophomore Audrey Gauthier, as Anna Maria’s lineup struck out consecutively in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Ava Gray singled and stole second in the second inning, but following two strikeouts, she was unable to score. Anna Maria failed to respond offensively, managing only a walk while striking out twice more. In the third inning, Framingham extended its lead after freshman Nina Buda singled and moved into scoring position on a passed ball before Etemad-Gilbertson hit another single. MacDonald advanced to first on an error, allowing Buda to score an unearned run. The Rams’ next two runners popped up and grounded out, but the top of the inning ended in their favor 2-0. The Rams’ defense remained sharp in the bottom half, retiring the Amcats in order again with two more strikeouts and a ball caught at second base. After an uneventful inning for Framingham, Anna Maria made it onto the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fourth inning. A walk and an error put runners in scoring position, and a sequence of walks forced in a run. The Rams responded immediately in the fifth. Buda singled and advanced on a stolen base, setting the stage for MacDonald, who delivered an RBI single to center field. The inning ended with a runner thrown out at home, but Framingham earned a two-run cushion at 3-1. Anna Maria struggled to generate offense in the bottom of the fifth, with three back-to-back outs. In the sixth inning, the Rams were set up with walks, but after a pop-up ball to the pitcher, Framingham was unable to score. The Amcats had a chance to score in the bottom of the sixth inning, as they recorded their first hit of the game and loaded the bases with two walks. However, Framingham’s defense held firm, forcing two outs on fielder’s choices to end the inning without allowing a run. The Rams added another run at the top of the seventh inning. Etemad-Gilbertson walked and advanced into scoring position before Carignan delivered an RBI single to center field, extending the lead to 4-1. In the bottom of the seventh, Anna Maria loaded the bases with three walks before their next batter hit a grand slam to left field. The four-run swing ended the game, giving the Amcats a comeback victory despite the Rams’ strong performance in the first six innings. Framingham carried the same competitive energy into game two. The Rams placed runners in scoring position in the first inning after Etemad-Gilbertson was hit by a pitch and Carignan singled, but were unable to score. Anna Maria again struggled early, going down in order in the bottom of the first. Both teams exchanged scoreless frames through the second inning. Sophomore Gianna Paolino hit a single, but left a runner stranded after sophomore Mikayla Yuricheck sent a fly ball to right field, and Buda struck out looking. The Amcats struck out, leaving two runners on base after a double and a hit-by-pitch. The Rams broke through in the third inning. Etemad-Gilbertson walked, and MacDonald reached on an error before Carignan advanced both runners. Gray then delivered a two-run home run that gave Framingham a 3-0 lead. Gray said, “When I had two runners on, my mindset was to drive the ball up the middle and get at least one run in. The home run just ended up coming from that approach.” She added, “Between every pitch, I like to step out of the box, take a deep breath, and reset. That routine has really helped me stay focused and locked in during my at-bats.” The Amcats answered in the bottom half of the third when Anna Maria’s Emelia Carvalho walked and stole second base before Ella Moon singled to right field, allowing Carvalho to make it home. After their next batter struck out, Meaghan Doyle sent a fly ball to center field, and Moon scored unearned. Angela Marie Gilmartin stepped up to the plate for the Amcats next and hit a double to center field, before the following batter hit a single, and Gilmartin scored, tying the game 3-3. The inning ended with Madison Levesque grounding out to third base. After a quiet fourth inning, the Rams regained the lead in the fifth. Etemad-Gilbertson singled and stole second before Carignan drove her in with an RBI single. Framingham left the bases loaded after sophomore Kate Brodzinski struck out swinging, but they held a 4-3 advantage. Anna Maria responded once again in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game 4-4 with a run driven in on a groundout following a leadoff single and a stolen base. In the sixth inning, Yuricheck hit a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt before Etemad-Gilbertson added another bunt single. MacDonald drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, giving the Rams a 5-4 lead when Yuricheck made it to home plate. Junior Peyton Farris delivered clean pitching in the bottom of the sixth, and the Rams’ fielding held up good defense, not allowing the Amcats to score and preserving the one-run advantage heading into the final inning. In the seventh, sophomore Jocelyn Pepe singled and was replaced by freshman Grace Geddes, who advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Yuricheck then delivered an RBI single and Geddes scored, extending the lead to 6-4. The Amcats mounted one final push in the bottom of the seventh, scoring a run on a sequence that included two singles and an error. Farris then closed out the game with a strikeout, securing a hard-fought 6-5 victory. Gray said, “Our biggest challenge in the Anna Maria games was not making adjustments early enough in our at-bats. In the second game, we focused more on staying back and hitting hard line drives, which made a big difference. “As a team, we also made a conscious effort to forget about the first game. We came in with better energy and a fresh mindset, which helped us come out with the win,” she added. Most recently, the Rams fell to the Babson College Beavers in a non-conference doubleheader, 5-2 and 3-0, March 31. These losses bring their overall record to 5-11, while their conference record remains at 1-1. The Rams host the Bridgewater State Bears for their next conference doubleheader April 4. Carignan said the team’s mindset “is to stay up the entire game, no matter the outcome. The more we stay positive, the better we will do. We can build off of each other’s energy and confidence.” She added their coach prepares them with non-conference games against teams that will challenge them, so “when it comes to conference games, when it matters, we will be the most prepared we can be.” This year, the softball team consists of no seniors, four juniors, 11 sophomores, and three freshmen. MacDonald said, “Having a young team gives us a lack of experience that some other teams may have. … The only way we can see past these games is to keep our energy up. We have amazing chemistry, and we are best friends on and off the field. We want these wins, and we want to win the MASCAC, so we can’t give up now.” Gray said it has “definitely been an adjustment compared to last year. Last year, we had three great seniors with a lot of experience. However, our captains have really stepped up into leadership roles and have done a great job guiding the team.” Carignan said, “I love it because we are going to play together for a long time. This allows us to get to know each other more on and off the field. We have such a strong bond with one another, and I think that also reflects on the field. … The longer you play together, the better you will be. This is just a step to next season.”