Box Score MEDFORD, Mass. – The Tufts University softball team completed a regular-season sweep of NESCAC Conference-rival Colby, as the Jumbos defeated the Mules, 8-0, during a five-inning affair on Sunday afternoon at Spicer Field in Medford, Massachusetts.
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| Cassie Ruscz led off the bottom of the third with a home run to left field. |
The Jumbos (12-5, 3-0 in NESCAC) outscored the Mules (6-12, 0-3 in NESCAC), 36-2, during the three-game series on Saturday and Sunday. During the series finale on Sunday, junior pitcher Raina Galbiati improved to 6-0 on the season, as she recorded a complete-game win, striking out six batters, giving up six hits and allowing no runs.
The Jumbos belted nine hits, as senior captain Cassie Ruscz (3-for-3, home run, two singles, two RBIs, two runs scored) led the way from an offensive perspective. Junior second baseman and leadoff hitter Samantha Siciliano contributed with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored.
Galbiati worked her way out of a jam in the top of the first, with senior Robin Spofford on second base and senior Katie McLaughlin occupying third with only one out. Galbiati proceeded to strike out freshman Ella Hommeyer swinging and force sophomore Paige Hartnett to ground out to second.
The Jumbos rewarded their pitcher with a two-run effort in the bottom of the frame. Siciliano led off with a walk, and proceeded to steal second base. Two batters later, Ruscz drove an RBI single to left field, scoring Siciliano from third. Ruscz crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly by Galbiati with one out and the bases loaded, as the Jumbos extended their lead to 2-0.
Galbiati retired the side in order during the top half of the third, and then Ruscz slammed a leadoff solo home run over the left-field fence in the bottom of the frame, giving the Jumbos a 3-0 cushion. The Wolcott, Connecticut, native leads the Jumbos with five homers on the season and is in a tie for second within the entire NESCAC Conference.
Junior catcher Raven Fournier ripped a double to right field, and then freshman third baseman Jamie Stevens singled to right. Fournier crossed home plate on an RBI ground out by junior left fielder Michelle Chisdak and Stevens scored on an RBI single to left field by senior first baseman Summer Horowitz, extending the hosts lead to 5-0.
Senior captain Carrie Copacino and junior shortstop Sara Willner-Giwerc ended the scoring in the third frame, as the players crossed home on a two-out RBI double to left field by Siciliano, giving the Jumbos a 7-0 lead. Sophomore Amolee Hawkins scored the game-ending run in the bottom of the fifth, crossing home plate on an RBI by senior captain Marly Becker.
Written by Trevor Wenners, Athletic Communications Intern
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