Box Score
CLERMONT, FL - Junior LF Sara Hedtler (Wrentham, MA) singled home a run in the top of the seventh and it ended up being the difference in the Tufts softball team's 6-5 victory over Middlebury College in Florida on Friday.
The two NESCAC opponents weathered a rain delay that saw the game play until late at night. With Tufts leading 5-4 heading into the seventh, sophomore 1B Kris Parr (Austin, TX) led off with a walk. After moving to second on a passed ball and taking third on a ground out, she scored on Hedtler's single making it 6-4.
The run was important, as Middlebury scored against Tufts ace Allyson Fournier (South Windsor, CT) in the bottom of the seventh. Junior LF Kimber Sable walked with one out and was sacrificed to second. Senior SS Jessa Hoffman doubled to center to score the run. Fournier, who had entered in relief in the middle of the third, got the final out on a ground ball for the Jumbos' 11th straight win.
Tufts (12-1) never trailed in the game. They took a 2-1 lead in the first, which was sparked by Hedtler's lead-off single and two stolen bases before she scored on a sacrifice fly by junior catcher Jo Clair (Glastonbury, CT). The other Tufts run scored unearned. Middlebury got one of their own in the first off Tufts starter Rebecca DiBiase (Wellesley, MA). Sable doubled to lead off and scored on a single by Hoffman.
The Jumbos added two more in the second, another one unearned and the second on a two-out double by Clair. The Panthers kept pace with two more in the bottom of the second. First-year catcher Carlyn Vachow and senior RF Sarah Boylan hit back-to-back singles to lead off and scored on a ground out and a single by Sable.
After Tufts did not score in the third, Middlebury tied the game at 4-4 with a lead-off single by Hoffman in the third and an rbi base hit from junior 1B Emily Kraytenberg.
The Jumbos broke the tie with their third unearned run of the game in the fifth. Senior 2B Emily Beinecke (Concord, MA) led off with a single and pinch-runner Abby Curran (Hamilton, MA) eventually scored on a fielder's choice.
Fournier went 4.2 innings allowing one hit and one run while striking out 10 with two walks to get the win in relief. Hedtler finished with two of Tufts' seven hits and sophomore CF Michelle Cooprider (Hopkinton, MA) scored twice.
The Panthers out-hit Tufts 8-7, including a 3 for 4 day with two rbi and a run by Hoffman. Sable was 2 for 3 with two runs and an rbi. Middlebury used three pitchers, with junior Elizabeth Morris perfoming best (3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER). Junior Alexa Lesenskyj took the loss.
The Jumbos wrap up their spring break trip to Florida with games against Fredonia State and Merrimack on Saturday. Middlebury (1-1), just beginning their trip, plays Oberlin and Grove City on Saturday.
Game Box Score
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