The women's softball team escaped some April rain showers and a seventh inning rally by Salem State to improve its record to 13-5. The Jumbos overpowered Salem State with two home runs and another strong outing by senior co-captain Jodie Moreau to pick up the 9-5 victory over the non-conference opponent.
Moreau, now 10-0, pitched four innings, striking out seven batters, while giving up only two singles to sophomore Kelly Driscol. While Dr. Moreau was taming the Lady Vikings, senior Tiffany Trahan and junior Lis Drake provided the offensive clout to secure the win. Drake launched a three-run bomb in the third inning, and also doubled in another run in the first, driving in Trahan. Trahan added a solo shot of her own to deep centerfield in the bottom of the sixth to give Tufts a 9-3 lead.
In fact, offense was never a problem for Tufts as the team recorded 13 hits and every batter reached base. Aside from Drake and Trahan, senior co-captain Emily Ferrazza, freshman Courtney Bongiolatti, and sophomore Deana Davidian each recorded two hits. Each of the three pitchers that the Jumbos faced could not contain the Jumbo bats as runs were scored in all but one inning.
Tufts jumped out to a 6-1 lead through four innings and Talon gave sophomore Maggie McClory an opportunity to pick up a little more experience. Salem State clawed its way back into the game slowly scoring two runs in the top of the fifth. McClory retired the side in order in the sixth, but got into a jam in the seventh. With one out and runners on second and third sophomore Kim Kasprzyk smacked her second double of the game, decreasing the lead to 9-5. Freshman Kristen Warren then popped up into a double play though, and the game ended.
"It was kind of a boring game," coach Kris Talon said. "We played down to their level a little bit, not that they are a bad team. Weekday home games always have the danger of being played sloppily."
Moreau continued her brilliant senior campaign, after being named NESCAC softball player of the week for the second time in a row. So far this year, she has pitched shutout ball in every game she has entered, except against nationally fourth ranked Wheaton where she gave up one run, and Wisconsin Lacrosse when she gave up two. Yesterday, the closest call came in the fourth inning when Driscoll reached third base after singling, stealing second, and advancing to third on a groundout. Checking the runner back to third, sophomore catcher Julie Fox threw a ball which Davidian mishandled, and Driscoll charged home for the unearned run. Aside from that, not one Viking made it into scoring position while Moreau pitched.
"Jodie really set the tone for the team," Talon said.
A gray-haired Salem State fan might have said it better, though. "That pitcher is pitching too darn fast," said the unidentified spectator. "It's not really fair."
Salem State never really had a chance in the game, although the young team featuring eight freshman and no seniors, battled until the end. The win was Tufts' sixth in a row, and the team is currently undefeated in New England play. On Thursday they host a doubleheader against Bridgewater State, a perennial New England powerhouse.
Talon was generally pleased but not overwhelmed by the win. "It was a good game," she said. "We had good defense, and we got to put a few more people in the game. It could have been better, but it was not horrible."
