LIVE from Beverly: No. 5 Tufts vs. Husson

 

UPDATE, Thursday, 12:21 p.m. Tong threw a pitch to the backstop during warmups and another to the leadoff batter. But she settled down against the next hitter and threw a couple of outstanding changeups. It would be nice from Tufts' end to see if they can get Tong to contribute to their postseason run. With the number of pitches she has in her arsenal, she can certainly be a valuable asset behind Gelmetti and Izzie Santone.

 

UPDATE, Thursday, 12:18 p.m. Gelmetti after striking out eight in four superb innings in favor of Tong. Tufts needs to record 3 outs before giving up 9 runs to win.

 

UPDATE, Thursday, 12:10 p.m. Manny tested positive for steroids?!?!

Meanwhile, nice job, Mother Nature. The sun is trying to come out, and what was supposed to be a rain-filled day has actually turned into a pleasant morning here in Beverly.

And before I can finish this post, Christy Tinker deposits a pitch over the CF fence, just in front of the cliff that forms the CF backdrop. It's 17-1 -- 17-1! -- Tufts.

UPDATE, Thursday, 12:05 p.m. Sorry for the delay -- we lost Internet access for a bit. But don't worry, you didn't miss much: Tufts only put up a 10-run third inning that has turned this NCAA Regional matchup into an absolute laugher. Husson made two pitching changes in the inning and didn't help it's cause, with fielding miscues left and right.

Meanwhile, Gelmetti has lost both her perfect game and her shutout. At this point, they're fighting to avoid being mercied. Stef Tong is warming in the bullpen for Tufts, so this could be it for Gelmetti.

 

UPDATE, Thursday, 11:37 a.m. Gelmetti is dealing. She strikes out the side in the Husson half of the third, bringing her total to six. Still no baserunners for the Eagles.

UPDATE, Thursday, 11:27 a.m. With RBI hits from Kuhles and Lopez, the rout is on. 5-0 Jumbos heading into the top of the third.

UPDATE, Thursday, 11:21 a.m. Roni Herbst helps Tufts build the lead. Her infield single allows Cantone to score from third. She then steals second, takes third on an overthrow, and scores on an infield single. A classic Roni Herbst trip around the bases. 3-0 Tufts.

UPDATE, Thursday, 11:17 a.m. After fouling a ball of her right foot and wincing in pain for a minute, the freshman Cantone delivers a base knock through the right side of the infield. The ball is mishandled in right field, allowing Hovhanessian to score all the way from first. 1-0 Tufts.

UPDATE, Thursday, 11:13 a.m. Gelmetti has 3 K's through two perfect innings, though Husson did manage quite a few screaming foul balls in the top half of the second. Ripecky, hitting .500, will lead it off for Tufts in a scoreless game.

UPDATE, Thursday, 10:59 a.m. Gelmetti fans two in the top half of the first as Husson goes down 1-2-3. Chapman will lead it off for the Jumbos against Sargent.

UPDATE, Thursday, 10:55 a.m. Under overcast skies, Gelmetti delivers a first-pitch strike to Cameron as the flashbulbs pop (okay, not really), and we are underway at the NCAA Tournament.

UPDATE, Thursday, 10:46 a.m. We're about to get underway after a rain delay of less than an hour (during which time, there was no rain). Lineups are being introduced. we'll be back with the first pitch.

UPDATE, Thursday, 10:26 a.m. Jumbos are finishing up infield practice. Here are the starting lineups:

TUFTS (37-1)

Chapman - CF

Kuhles - 3B

Lopez - 2B

Tinker - 1B

Ripecky - RF

Hovhanessian - C

Cantone - DP

Herbst - LF

Sullivan - SS

Pitching: Lauren Gelmetti (17-0, 1.33 ERA)

HUSSON (26-14)

Cameron - LF

Bradstreet - CF

Berry - 2B

Sargent - P

Risser - C

Richard - 1B

Voicechovski - 3B

LeBorgne - DP

Webster - RF

Ramsey - SS/flex

Pitching: Nicole Sargent (12-4, 4.15 ERA)
 

UPDATE, Thursday, 10:10 a.m. There's no rain falling here in Beverly, but the start of the game is being delayed as officials try to get the field ready for action. Lauren Gelmetti is warming up on the infield, so it looks like she'll get the Game 1 nod for the Jumbos.

It's no wonder the NCAA gave Endicott the right to host -- this field is downright gorgeous, including a remarkable backdrop in centerfield. We'll post photos throughout the weekend and show you what we mean. Actually, this entire campus is quite a site; our executive sports editor, Carly Helfand, likened it to a beach resort.

Jumbos are getting loose. We'll be back with the lineups.

UPDATE, Thursday, 8:10 a.m. Less than two hours from the scheduled first pitch, and the rain has held up so far. But the forecast does not look promising. No changes to the schedule for today yet, but we'll keep you posted if we learn anything after arriving at Endicott.

If Tufts and Husson do end up taking the field this morning, you can follow the play-by-play through the tournament's official website.
 

 

Join the Daily live from Endicott Softball Stadium on Thursday, when the nationally ranked No. 5 Tufts softball team kicks off NCAA Tournament play with a matchup against Husson University. Game time is currently set for 10 a.m., weather permitting. The Daily will be on hand for the action all weekend long, with a live blog featuring up-to-the-minute game updates and analysis.

Currently in the midst of their greatest season in program history, the Jumbos drew the top seed in the eight-team Beverly, Mass. regional when the tournament brackets were announced yesterday. In pursuit of its first College World Series berth since 2000, Tufts will take on eighth-seeded Husson, champions of the North Atlantic Conference, in first-round play. The Eagles went 23-14 in the regular season -- including 2-3 against NESCAC opponents Bowdoin, Colby and Bates -- before capturing their first ever NAC title. The Jumbos, meanwhile, were 10 outs away from completing a perfect regular season before Brandeis came from behind and dealt them their only setback of the season last Tuesday. But the team rebounded in the NESCAC Tournament, cruising to its third consecutive conference crown.

Stay tuned for updates beginning Thursday morning.