Sixth-Ranked Softball Wins Close Game at Trinity to Sweep Weekend NESCAC East Series

Michelle Cooprider had two hits and two runs atop the Tufts batting order

HARTFORD – Sophomore Kris Parr (Austin, Tx) went 3 for 4 with a double and three rbi to lead the visiting Tufts University Jumbos to a 6-4 victory over the Trinity College Bantams in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) East Division softball action this afternoon.

Trinity falls to 8-14 overall and 1-5 in the NESCAC East with its ninth consecutive setback, while Tufts, ranked No. 6 in the nation, improves to 25-2 overall and 9-0 in the division while extending its winning streak to eight games.  The Jumbos swept yesterday's double-header, 11-1 and 3-2 to go 3-0 in the weekend series at Trinity.

Tufts took a 5-0 lead with a run in the second inning on a lead-off single by junior Kayla Holland (Attleboro, MA) and a two-out RBI single by Parr, and four runs in the top of the third frame.  Sophomore Michelle Cooprider (Hopkinton, MA) doubled to start the inning, and scored on an error.  With two outs, Tufts sophomore Bri Keenan (Portsmouth, NH) delivered an rbi single and Parr came through with a two-run double. 

The Bantams responded immediately with a four-run bottom of the third.  Junior Olivia Berry (Quincy, MA) and first-year OF Elizabeth McQuaid (Lowell, MA) sandwiched walks around a single by senior OF Amelia Mostovoy (San Francisco, CA) to load the bases without an out.  Senior SS Caroline Blanchard (Norwich, CT) doubled home Berry and Mostovoy, McQuaid scored on a groundout by Bantam first-year 3B Erica Correa (Glen Rock, NJ), and sophomore 2B Miranda Riendeau-Card (Bowdoinham, ME) singled home Blanchard with two outs to pull Trinity to within one at 5-4.

Tufts scored once more in the fourth inning on a double by Cooprider and an rbi single by junior C Jo Clair (Glastonbury, CT), and Jumbo senior starter Rebecca DiBiase (Wellesley, MA) did not allow another Bantam hit until the sixth frame.  Riendeau-Card and McQuad singled in the sixth, but DiBiase retired the final four batters in a row to earn a five-hit complete game.  Bantam first-year RHP Hannah King (Kennebunk, ME) took the loss in the circle.

The Jumbos will host a double-header against Springfield College on Tuesday. Trinity plays a non-divisional NESCAC double-header at Wesleyan on Wednesday.

Game Box Score

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Game recap courtesy of Trinity College