CLERMONT, FL - The Tufts softball team rallied for four runs in the final two innings to overcome a 4-1 deficit and defeat Middlebury College, 5-4, on Saturday at the NTC Spring Tournament. Earlier in the day, the Jumbos lost 10-6 to Wisconsin-Superior.
Middlebury led 4-1 on the strength of a three-run double by Emily Burbridge in the third inning and a fourth-inning double by Jessica Poracky that led to a run. Tufts had scored its first run unearned in the second when first year LF Sara Hedtler (Wrentham, MA) singled and scored on a single by junior SS Mira Lieman-Sifry (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY).
In the bottom of the sixth, Tufts pulled within 4-2 after sophomore 2B Emily Beinecke (Concord, MA) reached by an error to lead off. She scored on a sacrifice fly by senior Izzie Santone (Madison, CT). Then in the seventh, singles by pinch hitter Lauren Giglio (Niskayuna, NY) and junior 3B Katherine Darveau (Reading, MA) set the table. Pinch runner Liz Pinzino (Marlborough, MA) scored on a passed ball and Darveau scored on a single by junior 1B Lena Cantone (Southington, CT) to tie the score at 4-4. A single by Beinecke and a Middlebury error set the stage for Santone's game-ending single that scored Cantone.
Santone also earned the victory pitching in relief, allowing just two hits and no runs in two innings. Beinecke was 2 for 4. Jessa Hoffman had three hits at the top of the Middlebury batting order, while Burbridge was 3 for 4 with 4 rbi.
Statistics for the Wisconsin-Superior game are not yet available. The Jumbos are 5-7 heading into the final day of their spring break trip on Sunday.
Middlebury Box Score
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