HARTFORD, CT (May 3, 2023) – Seniors
Josie Steinberg and
Rachel Moore combined for nine hits, six runs and five rbis in the double-header as the #8 Tufts softball team swept Trinity College in NESCAC games today 10-2 in six innings and 4-1.
Steinberg and Moore did most of their damage in the first game with six hits, five runs and three rbis between the two them to lead Tufts. In game two, junior
Sophia DiCocco went the distance allowing four hits and one run for her 12th victory of the spring.
The Jumbos (33-3, 15-1 NESCAC) got started quickly with five hits and four runs in the top of the first of game one. After
Bela Jimenez singled, took third on a single by
Kaitlyn Perucci, then Perucci stole second, Steinberg doubled both home. With one out
Haley Leimbach (three rbis) singled home Steinberg, and after the Jumbos loaded the bases pinch-runner
Emma Tonies would score on a ground out by
Emma Jacobson.
Steinberg would double for a second time with one out in the second and score when Moore grounded a single up the middle. That pair combined again in the fourth as Steinberg singled through the right side and Moore had a base hit to right setting up second and third. Leimbach's ground ball brought home Tufts' sixth run, a Bantam error made it 7-0 and then
Lauryn Horita tripled home another run for an 8-0 score.
After shutting out Trinity on one hit through three innings, Tufts starter
Sky Johnson and the Jumbos ran into trouble in the fourth. Gianna Tito doubled to start the frame. A Tufts error and a bunt single by Abigail Alper loaded the bases, and Trinity would score two runs on a passed ball. Johnson struck out the last two hitters to strand runners on second and third and limit the damage.
The Jumbo got to an eight-run lead in the sixth with two runs as Moore tripled to right and then scored on a ground out by Leimbach.
Michelle Adelman manufactured the 10th run when she was hit by pitch and scored by stealing second and advancing on a passed ball and then a wild pitch.
Johnson improved to 10-0 with the win, going four innings giving up four hits and two unearned runs with seven K's and no walks.
Emilie Doty entered for the Jumbos in the fifth and gave up just a Taylor Mikolajczak double while striking out five. Steinberg was 3 for 4 with three runs and two rbis, while Moore finished 3 for 4 with two runs and an rbi.
Tiffany Stowers started and lasted just one inning to take the game one loss for Trinity (9-19, 4-10). Kaysen Shikar allowed seven hits and six runs (four earned) in five innings of relief.
In game two, Tufts led 3-0 when singles by Tito and Alper helped the Bantams load the bases with no outs in the fourth. DiCocco would limit the damage to just one run on a base hit by Stowers. The Tufts lefty got the last two outs by K to leave the bases loaded. She went on to retire 10 of the last 11 Bantam hitters and finish with eight strikeouts and no walks.
The Jumbos had scored twice in the first inning to get a load. Steinberg singled home
Bela Jimenez, who reached on an error and had gone to third with a steal and a wild pitch. Moore's base hit then scored Steinberg, who had gone to second on a passed ball.
The lead went to 3-0 in the third when Perucci doubled past the center fielder and another Moore rbi came with a single. Adelman then beat out an infield single, stole second and scored on a double by Jimenez for the final Tufts run.
Moore and
Nicole Russo each had two of Tufts' nine hits against Trinity starter Erin Girard (7 IP, 9 H, 4 R), who took the loss.
Tufts host Bowdoin in two NESCAC games on Senior Day at Spicer Field Saturday.
--JUMBOS--
