April 21, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Endicott College softball team split a doubleheader versus Tufts University on Patriot's Day Monday at Endicott Softball Field in Beverly, Mass. The Gulls took game one by a score of 2-1 before losing 8-3 in the second half of the twin-bill.
Game one was a classic pitcher's duel between Endicott senior Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Tufts junior Lauren Gelmetti (Westfield, N.J.). Both pitchers would combine to allow only three runs on just six total hits.
The Gulls struck in the home half of the first inning, as sophomore Jenna Lazar (Milton, Mass.) got things started with a leadoff double down the left field line. After a sacrifice bunt from senior Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, Maine) moved Lazar to third, she came around to score the first run on what would prove to be a very costly throwing error by Tufts.
The Jumbos came right back in the top of the second inning, getting an RBI single from junior Maya Ripecky (Chicago, Ill.) to tie the score at one-all.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning when senior Paula McGinn (Lynn, Mass.) led off with a triple into the left centerfield gap. Shortstop Jenna Lazar followed by dropping down a squeeze bunt, scoring McGinn with the go-ahead run on a close play at the plate.
That was all the runs Jenn Elwell would need, as she retired the Jumbos in order in the seventh for a 2-1 EC victory.
Earning the win, Elwell improves to 10-3 on the season. She surrendered one run on just four hits over seven innings while striking out three. Offensively the Green and Blue were led by sophomore Jenna Lazar who was 1-2 scoring one of Endicott's only two runs while driving in the other.
Junior Lauren Gelmetti took the tough-luck loss for the Jumbos, falling to 8-2 overall. She pitched well, giving up two runs, only one earned, on just two hits over six innings of work. Tufts was led on offense by junior Maya Ripecky who was 1-2 with an RBI single.
Game two was the exact opposite of the first, with the two teams combining for 11 runs on 29 hits.
With Endicott leading 1-0 in the top of the second the Jumbos put a three spot on the board, getting RBI singles from junior Samantha Kuhles (Somerville, N.J.) and junior Laura Chapman (Seattle, Wash.).
The Gulls fought back with a run in the bottom half of the inning on an RBI single by senior Danielle Sargent.
TU then answered right back with another run in the top of the third to keep their two run lead in tact at 4-2.
After both teams traded runs in the sixth, the Jumbos blew the game open in the top of the seventh scoring three runs on four hits. Junior Cara Hovhanessian (Farmington, Conn.) and sophomore Christy Tinker (Woodbridge, Conn.) both collected RBI in the inning, giving Tufts an 8-3 advantage.
Freshman Izzie Santone (Madison, Conn.) put the finishing touches on the Jumbos win, earning her second save of the season. She held the Gulls scoreless over her 1 2/3 innings of work allowing just one hit. TU starter Stefanie Tong (Burlingame, Calif.) got the win, giving up three runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings to improve to a perfect 7-0 on the season. Junior Samantha Kuhles, junior Laura Chapman, senior Megan Cusick (Albany, N.Y.), and junior Roni Herbst (Montclair, N.J.) all had three hits for Tufts.
Sophomore Maria Mangine suffered her first loss of the season, falling to 11-1 overall. She gave up four runs, three earned, on 13 hits. Danielle Sargent led the Gulls' offensive attack going 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
With the split the Gulls' record moves to 31-4 overall, while remaining 18-2 in the TCCC. Tufts is now 22-8 overall, staying put at 8-1 in the NESCAC. Endicott will return to the diamond on Wednesday when they travel to Milton, Mass. to take on Curry College in a TCCC doubleheader. Game times are scheduled for 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.
