Softball sweeps Simmons in doubleheader

By Taylor Kimmell

Asst. Sports Editor

After shutting out the Simmons University Sharks 8-0 during their first match March 25, the Framingham State Rams closed out the second 13-5.

In accordance with the “8 after 5” mercy rule, the second match only lasted until the fifth inning.

This win brings the Rams’ record to 4-8 and is the team's first home game following their match during their spring break trip in Florida.

On the mound for FSU was sophomore Audrey Gauthier, who started the Rams off strong, striking out Simmons’ first batter.

The second batter caught hold of a pitch, sending a grounder to freshman Nina Buda at shortstop, who flung the ball to first for the out.

Batter number three for the Sharks managed to walk to first, but the top of the inning came to a close shortly after when the following batter sent a fly ball to sophomore Gianna Paolino in right field.

Simmons’ fielding team managed to hold off FSU’s batters, with pitcher Piper Kinney striking out sophomores Ellie Etemad-Gilbertson and Amanda Roche.

Sophomore Isabella MacDonald managed to get on base with a single, but a third out came quickly after, with a caught fly ball to center field by Captain Eliza Carignan, a senior.

At the top of the second inning, Simmons’ Teagan Buckly walked to first, then successfully stole second before advancing to third when the following batter grounded out to third.

MacDonald struck out the third batter, then sophomore Mikayla Yuricheck fielded the ball at second before sending it to sophomore Ava Gray for the out at first.

After an unsuccessful at-bat by Captain Jocelyn Pepe, a sophomore, Gray stepped to the plate and sent a ball flying deep to right field and over the fence for an out-of-the-park home run, scoring FSU the first run of the game.

Paolino and Gauthier both struggled at the plate, sending the game into the third inning.

Two Simmons’ batters managed to make it on base during the third, but stellar pitching and fielding from FSU kept the runners from advancing home.

The bottom of the third passed quickly with three consecutive outs and no batters making it on base for the Rams.

At the start of the fourth inning, the Sharks managed to make it on base with two singles, but FSU held runners on second and third.

Carignan scored the Rams’ second homer of the game, sending a rocket over the fence in deep center field.

Though Pepe singled and advanced to second, she was unfortunately left on base as the inning came to a close.

Simmons’ batters managed two singles in the top of the fifth, but strikeouts by MacDonald and fielding plays by Buda kept the runners from scoring.

In the bottom of the fifth, Buda popped a ball up to second, marking the first out. On the next play, Etemad-Gilbertson battled back from a 0-2 count and sent a hard drive to the gap between shortstop and second for a single.

MacDonald stepped to the plate next, sending another ball to the gap and making it to first. Etemad-Gilbertson was able to advance to third on the same play, a credit to her excellent base running.

Carignan worked the count during her at-bat, walking to first and loading the bases as Roche stepped to the plate.

Roche singled, sending a perfectly placed hit to the gap and allowing both Etemad-Gilbertson and MacDonald to cross the plate, bringing the score to 4-0.

Framingham’s defense kept the top of the sixth scoreless for the Sharks, then heated up the bats as Gauthier stepped to the plate to lead off what would be the final inning. 

Gauthier singled, advancing to third when Buda dropped a well-placed bunt and made it to first after an overthrow.

Buda stole second on the next play, then a single by Etemad-Gilbertson brought the two runners home.

MacDonald and Carignan loaded the bases before Roche stepped into the batter’s box. Roche sent a hard drive down the third base line, bringing in Etemad-Gilbertson and MacDonald for an 8-0 walk-off victory.

The Sharks used the first inning of game two to their advantage. Their first run came when, after a batter singled and stole second, a ball hit to center allowed said runner enough time to cross the plate.

A throwing error by the Rams allowed Simmons’ next batter to reach first and bring in a runner. After another stolen base, a single to shortstop was enough to score a third run before the inning came to a close.

Despite two hits by Etemad-Gilbertson and Carignan, Framingham was unable to match the Sharks in runs.

The Rams fielded grounders and junior pitcher Peyton Farris struck out a batter to make quick work of the top of inning two, holding Simmons to only one hit.

After a strikeout by Paolino, Yuricheck singled off a line drive to center field. Sophomore Kate Brodzinski took the field to pinch hit for Buda, sending a shot to deep left field and advancing to second while driving Yuricheck home.

Etemad-Gilbertson stepped into the box next, hitting a single. MacDonald’s next hit bounced off the shortstop’s glove, earning her a base and allowing Brodzinski to score and Etemad-Gilbertson to advance to third.

Carignan hit a fly to left field that was caught, but a tag-up play by Etemad-Gilbertson scored a run regardless to bring the score to 3-2 Sharks.

The Sharks scored twice during their time at bat, runs coming off a triple hit to right field and a ground ball to shortstop.

In the bottom of the third, the Rams made an impressive comeback. Pepe started off strong for FSU, sending a ball to deep center field for a triple. On the next play, Gray grounded out to first to bring in the run.

Paolino stepped to the plate next, sending a ball to shallow center and making it to first.

Yuricheck’s hit allowed her to make it to first while advancing Paolino to second. Brodzinski singled to shortstop, advancing both runners to load the bases.

Brodzinski and Etemad-Gilbertson were fielded out during a double-play, but Yuricheck and Paolino advanced, with the latter scoring.

Etemad-Gilbertson stole second, putting her in a position to score directly after Yuricheck on a MacDonald double.

Carignan and Roche each hit a single to the outfield, bringing in MacDonald and Carignan, respectively, for a Rams’ lead of 9-5.

A single to center field marked the Sharks’ only success during the fourth inning, as plays by the Rams’ defense quickly tallied three outs.

A Gray single to center put her on base and allowed her to steal second on a wild pitch - perfect scoring position. 

Paolino hit a double, and an error by Simmons’ defense allowed her to both advance to third and bring in the run from Gray.

Paolino then scored on an RBI hit by Brodzinski.

Framingham kept the Sharks at bay, holding them scoreless during the top of the fifth.

MacDonald singled, but was thrown out at second on a hit by Carignan. A wild pitch allowed Carignan to advance to second, then freshman Maddie Belette worked the count to walk to first.

With two runners on, Gray hit a hard ball to force an error by the first baseman, reaching first, advancing Belette to third, and scoring Carignan. A wild pitch allowed Belette to find an opening, stealing home and scoring the only run the Rams needed to take the victory.

The match ended 13-5 FSU.

After winning their home opener, the Rams will host the Anna Maria Amcats for their first conference matchup March 28.