By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
By Riley Crowell
Staff Writer
The Framingham State Rams split games with the Emmanuel College Saints in their nonconference doubleheader at the Maple Street Field April 4.
The first game started slowly, with both teams holding each other scoreless through the first two innings.
Framingham’s offense broke through with a double from third baseman Makayla Rooney in the bottom of the third inning.
Rooney scored on a single by Rams’ shortstop Camille Desrochers, giving Framingham a 1-0 lead.
Framingham’s bats continued to heat up in the fourth inning. Rooney provided an RBI single, and Desrochers contributed a two-RBI single to extend the Rams’ lead to four.
Framingham’s left fielder, Gwen Carpenter, and catcher Talia Duca, secured the Rams’ 6-0 victory with RBIs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Framingham’s starting pitcher, Ally Moran, shined in the circle, pitching the Rams’ first complete-game shutout of the season.
In seven innings of work, Moran allowed zero runs, walked zero batters, and only allowed three total baserunners of the 24 batters she faced.
Moran also struck out five Saints batters on her way to victory.
Moran recently won MASCAC pitcher of the week and currently boasts a season ERA of 1.13, keeping opposing teams off the board at an elite level.
When asked about her success and plan of attack, she said, “Throwing pitches where the batters are going to get weak hits. Just relying on my defense.
“I love it. I know I can rely on them at all times.” Moran added.
Head Coach Larry Miller said, “Her whole career, she’s gone out there and hit her spots.
“We have a ton of confidence in her,” Miller added.
The Saints marched back in the second game with an 8-4 victory over the Rams.
Emmanuel capitalized on two errors made by Framingham’s defense and took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
The Saints profited off another error by the Rams’ defense in the top of the second inning and increased their lead to 5-0.
Framingham’s Olivia Mendonca relieved Rylynn Witek as pitcher during the top of the third inning.
Framingham’s defense held strong and allowed for Duca to score a two-run RBI in the bottom of the third inning.
The Rams trailed 5-2 entering the top of the fifth inning, but the Saints’ offense had their best inning of the game.
Emmanuel pieced together RBIs from three consecutive batters and increased their lead to 8-2 over the Rams.
Framingham’s right fielder, Keely Scotia, tried to spark the Rams’ offense with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The final inning was scoreless for both teams, and the Saints finished the doubleheader with an 8-4 win over the Rams.
Framingham’s loss ended their seven-game win streak.
Rooney said, “I think when we're in it, we're in it and we definitely put our hearts on the field.
“It’s tough for that second game here, but it was good on that streak.”
Miller said, “The second game today got away from us a little bit, but we’re excited for conference play on Friday.”
“We faced them [Bridgewater State] the last two years in the MASCAC championship, and it's always an exciting doubleheader,” Miller added.
The Rams hold an overall record of 12-8 and a MASCAC record of 2-0.
Framingham will host Bridgewater State for a MASCAC doubleheader April 7.