Softball

Rachel Pearson finished the second game 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored to help the Gulls pick up a win over Tufts

Gulls Split with Jumbos

Endicott split a non-conference double header with Tufts University on Tuesday

April 25, 2007

Box Score

Medford, MA - Tufts University and Endicott College, two of the top-ranked softball programs in New England, split a double-header on Tuesday afternoon at Spicer Field. The Jumbos (22-11) won the opener 6-3 and Endicott (24-9) took the nightcap 8-5.

Tufts led 4-0 after four innings in the first game, including a three-run fourth inning. Junior catcher Megan Cusick (Albany, NY) singled home a run in the second, then singled and scored in the fourth. Jumbo first-year starter Stefanie Tong (Burlingame, CA) kept the Gulls off the scoreboard until she ran into trouble in the sixth inning.

Endicott cut the Jumbos lead to one at 4-3 as junior designated player Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard) and junior pitcher Jenn Elwell (Tewksbury, MA/Shawsheen Tech) had RBI singles. Sophomore 3B Samantha Kuhles (Somerville, NJ) gave Tufts some breathing room with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth and junior Erica Bailey (Scottsdale, AZ) retired the Gulls 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to record a save.

Bailey started game two for Tufts and was touched for five runs in the third inning, with Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME/Oak Hill) and Pearson both hit two-run singles. The Jumbos battled back to tie the game scoring two unearned runs in the third, junior shortstop Heather Kleinberger (New City, NY) led off the fourth with a solo home run. Casey Sullivan (Berlin, CT) then hit a two-run blast later in the inning to tie the game.

The Blue and Green would respond with some power of their own as Pearson hit a two-out home run in the top of the fifth giving EC a 6-5 lead. Elwell, came on in relief and despite allowing the home run, tamed the Tufts offense over the final three innings. The Gulls would add two runs in the sixth to finish with the 8-5 win.

Pearson finished the game 2 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Maria Mangine (Lockport, NY/Lockport) also had three hits for the Gulls. Elwell got the win in relief with four innings of two-hit pitching. Sullivan was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs for Tufts.

Endicott moves to 24-9 with the spilt and will wrap up its regular season schedule with a pair of CCC double-headers this weekend. The Gulls host Salve Regina on Friday at 3:30 and 5:30 pm and then play their final regular season games Saturday against Curry at noon and 2:00 pm in Beverly, MA.

Courtesy of Tufts University Sports Information