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Kim Miner delivered the game-winning hit for the Jumbos
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MEDFORD - Senior RF Kim Miner (Concord, MA) connected on a two-out, walk-off single to give the Tufts University softball team a 1-0 victory over the visiting Mules of Colby College in NESCAC East play on Sunday afternoon at Spicer Field.
With the triumph the Jumbos finish the regular season at 9-3 in league action and have clinched the right to host the 2011 NESCAC Softball Championship this coming Friday through Sunday (May 6-8). Coach Cheryl Milligan's Jumbos won the NESCAC East for the seventh straight year.
It was a pitcher's duel between Tufts senior Izzie Santone (Madison, CT) and Colby sophomore Lauren Becker (Falls Church, VA). Neither side had a runner pass second base until the Jumbos walked off with the win in the bottom of the seventh.
The best opportunity of the game for the Mules came in the second inning. First year 3B Bri Wheeler (Brussels, ONT) reach on a one-out single, and then Becker grounded back to Santone, but in her attempt to make an out at second base threw the ball away.
Santone fought back though, and retired first year Kelsey Yardumian (Boxborough, MA) on a pop out and then left both runners stranded by striking out junior LF Jen Goldman (Cedar Grove, NJ).
Colby threatened again in the fourth inning as they attempted a two-out rally. Wheeler and Becker both singled, but Santone forced a groundout to retire the side.
The Jumbo offense could only manage one single in each of the first four innings and could not build upon them. Only two baserunners reached second base through the first six frames as junior CF Lizzy Iuppa (Paramus, NJ) stole second in the first inning and junior 1B Lena Cantone (Southington, CT) singled and moved to second base on fielder's interference in the sixth.
Santone notched her third 1-2-3 inning of the game in the top of the seventh to help set up the walk-off opportunity for the offense. Sophomore 2B Emily Beinecke (Concord, MA) began the last inning with a single. After an out was recorded, first year LF Sara Hedtler (Wrentham, MA) added a single. Becker then struck out pinch-hitter Lauren Giglio (Niskayuna, NY), which brought up Miner with two on and two out. She deposited the game-winning hit down the right-field line and Beinecke raced home from second base to give the Jumbos the victory.
Santone earned the complete-game shutout, allowing six hits with no walks and one strikeout. She finishes the regular season with a 10-2 mark. Becker was the tough-luck loser after surrendering the one run on eight hits in 6.2 innings. She struck out three and walked none.
Iuppa and Hedtler both had 2 for 3 contests for the Jumbos, while the other four hits for Tufts came from Cantone, first year C Jo Clair (Glastonbury, CT), Beinecke and Miner.
Sophomore Lindsay Peterson (Fairfield, CT) and Wheeler each had a pair of singles for the Mules. Senior 1B Alyssa Lepore (Victory, NY) and Becker accounted for the other two Colby hits.
The Jumbos now stand 22-16 overall, while Colby drops to 9-19 overall and 1-11 conference play.
Tufts will open up the NESCAC Championship at Spicer Field on Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm against the West #2 seed Williams. West #1 seed Middlebury and East #2 seed Trinity will play in Friday's other first round game at 5 pm.
Game Box Score
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