MEDFORD - The Tufts University softball team earned a double-header split, winning 3-1 and losing 6-0, against the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen in a non-league matchup on Tuesday afternoon at Spicer Field.
The Jumbos scored first in game one in the second inning. First year C Jo Clair (Glastonbury, CT) led off the frame with a walk and then sophomore 2B Emily Beinecke (Concord, MA) reached on an error. First year Kayla Holland (Attleboro, MA) executed a sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. With two outs and the runners still on second and third, Tufts senior starting pitcher Izzie Santone (Madison, CT) helped her own cause by coming through with a two-run single.
The game remained 2-0 in favor of Tufts until the fifth inning. In that timespan, Santone allowed just three RIC singles while walking one and hitting a batter. The Anchorwomen were able to cut the Jumbo lead in half in the fifth inning when first year LF Stacy Pokora (Wilton, CT) began the inning with a single. She eventually scored on a two-out single by senior SS Donielle Mattoon (Coventry, RI).
Tufts would regain its two-run lead though in the bottom of the inning. Santone led off with a single, and then pinch-runner Chrissie Massrey (San Juan Capistrano, CA) stole second base. It looked as if RIC would get out of the inning, but a two-out error scored Massrey.
Santone finished out the complete-game victory for the Jumbos, and now stands at 9-2 this season. In the full seven innings, she allowed just the one run on seven scattered hits.
Senior Amanda Berard (Swansea, MA) was the tough-luck loser for the Anchorwomen, pitching six innings, surrendering the three runs which were all unearned due to two errors. She allowed only three hits while striking out seven, but is now 9-2 for the year.
The only other Jumbo in game one to garner a hit was junior SS Mira Lieman-Sifry (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY).
In game two, RIC starting pitcher Kyla Puccini (North Dighton, MA) was dominant, earning a complete-game shutout. Again Tufts could only muster three hits off of Anchorwomen pitching.
The Anchorwomen struck early and often, scoring in each of the first four innings. Mattoon and senior CF Amanda Perry (New Beford, MA) each had run-scoring singles in the first inning to put RIC up 2-0.
A two-out triple by Pokora in the second setup the next Anchorwomen tally, as she scored from third base on a passed ball. RIC added two more in the third inning on a two-out, two-run double from junior 3B Cristina Bailey (Londonderry, NH).
RIC capped its scoring in the fourth with their sixth run on a double by 2B Marisa Jandreau (Plainville, CT).
Two of the three Jumbo hits came in the second inning, from Beinecke and Massrey, but both were stranded in scoring position. Beinecke added another base knock in the seventh.
Sophomore Rebecca DiBiase (Wellesley, MA) took the loss in game two. She allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. First year Lauren Giglio (Niskayuna, NY) threw the final four innings, and allowed one run and two hits.
With the split, Tufts is now 19-15 overall. They finish NESCAC East play this weekend with a three-game series at Trinity. Game one is scheduled for Friday at 4 pm.
RIC is 26-7 and they go back to Little East Conference action tomorrow with a home game against UMass Dartmouth at 4 pm.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
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