Box Score MEDFORD – Freshman pitcher Kristi Van Meter allowed just one hit in six innings and Tufts hit two home runs as the #21 ranked Jumbos defeated #19 MIT 7-0 in non-league college softball action Monday at Spicer Field.
The game matched the top two teams in the April 26 NCAA Division III New England Regional Rankings with the #2 in the region Jumbos (26-7) shutting out #1 in the Region MIT (29-6-1).
MIT had two runners in scoring position in the top of the first against Van Meter, including a double by sophomore DH Sarah Von Ahn. Sophomore SS Madi Pickett then drove the ball towards the left-center gap, but Tufts freshman CF Edie Huling made a spectacular catch to save two runs. It was the second time in nine days that Huling made a critical catch. She saved a 2-1 victory at Amherst on April 21 with a great play.
Van Meter would not allow another hit, and put just one more MIT batter on base when she hit senior RF Katherine Shade with a pitch in the second. The Tufts freshman hurler was perfect against the final 14 batters she faced. She earned her 13th win while striking out six and walking one.
The Engineers had a great defensive play of their own in the second. With a runner on first and two outs, Jumbo senior SS Sara Willner-Giwerc singled to right. However, Shade threw out a Tufts runner trying to advance to third on the play with a great throw.
On a wet day, MIT junior starting pitcher Ravenne Nasser struggled with control. With two runners on base via a walk and hit-by-pitch, Tufts junior DH Krissy Caporelli dumped a two-run single into left field putting Tufts ahead in the third.
Samantha Siciliano, one of five Jumbos honored on Seniors Day, opened a 5-0 lead for the hosts with a three-run home run off reliever Amber VanHemel in the fourth. Sophomore LF Maggie Lebinski and Willner-Giwerc, who both singled, scored in front of her.
Lebinski then hit the first home run of her career in the fifth scoring sophomore RF Emily Serata, who had doubled with one out.
Pickett and sophomore catcher Michelle Wist had singles off Tufts senior reliever Raina Galbiati in the seventh, but the Jumbos were able to hold on for the shutout. It was just the second time MIT has been blanked this spring.
Lebinski finished 2 for 3 with two runs and two rbis for the Jumbos, who play in the NESCAC Tournament this weekend at Amherst College. Willner-Giwerc also had two hits.
MIT used all three of its pitchers with Nasser taking the loss, allowing four hits and four runs with five K's and three walks in three innings. The Engineers start NEWMAC Tournament action on Wednesday.
Today's scheduled second game was postponed due to field conditions.
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