MEDFORD, MA (May 14, 2026) – Paige Murphy's two-run single to center field in the bottom of the sixth lifted Tufts University to a 7-5 victory over Alfred University in Game 1 of an NCAA Softball Regional at Spicer Field on Friday.

The Jumbos (31-10) advance in the winner's bracket and will play next on Friday at 3:30 PM. Tufts will face the winner of Game 2 between Middlebury College and Muhlenberg College, which will be played on Friday at 10 AM.

Empire 8 champion Alfred (29-14) gave #1 seed Tufts all it could handle today, but falls into the loser's bracket. The Saxons will play the loser of Middlebury-Muhlenberg on Friday at 12:30 PM.

Trailing 4-1 after the first inning today, Alfred came back and tied the game at 5-5 with single runs in the second, third, fourth and sixth innings. Samantha Vidal started the game-tying rally in the sixth with a one-out infield single. Bella Mistretta followed with a single to left, and then with two outs Vidal scored on a Tufts error to tie the game.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, Lauryn Horita singled to start the Jumbos. Heaven Oliva followed by driving a double to left, setting up runners on second and third. Murphy then singled home Horita and pinch-runner Emma Wingate for a 7-5 Tufts advantage.

First-year pitcher Francesca Colangelo retired the first two Saxons in the top of the seventh, but Brielle Wark kept the visitors alive with an infield. The Jumbos went to the bullpen for Fallon O'Connor, and she got a ground ball out to secure the victory.

Vidal and Mistretta were fantastic at the top of the Alfred order all game. After Vidal singled to lead off the game and stole second, Mistretta singled to bring Vidal around and the Saxons quickly led 1-0.
Tufts would answer in a big way, batting around and scoring four times in the bottom of the first. Ella McHugh's two-run single made it 4-1 Tufts.

Alfred starter Kendall Steward did a good job after a poor start, helping the Saxons come back. They pulled within 4-3 with a single run in the second on an rbi base hit from Brielle Wark, and another in the third when Steward singled home Mistretta.

The Jumbos increased their lead to 5-3 in the third when Cat Kawabe led off with walk and scooted home on an infield single to the pitcher by McHugh.

McHugh finished the game 2 for 3 with the three runs batted in. Horita was 2 for 4 with two runs at the top of the Tufts order. Perucci also had two hits, including  a single on which she broke the team's career hits record with her 241. She surpassed Tufts Hall of Famer Jo Clair, who had 240 from 2011-14.

Colangelo earned the win (10-3) in relief, going three innings and allowing three hits and no earned runs. O'Connor recorded her fourth save by getting the final out.

Alfred outhit Tufts 11-10, led by Vidal (3 for 4, 2 runs) and Mistretta (4 for 4, run, rbi). Warks had two hits for the Saxons. Steward took the pitching loss (5.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R).