The women's softball team was eliminated from the NCAA Regional Tournament last Saturday in a 3-1 loss to Wheaton College, ending the team's hope of qualifying for the College World Series.
The Jumbos finished their season as NESCAC Champions for the second year running. Highlights from the spring include a sparkling 29-9 (8-0) record, a number eight national ranking and a 16-game winning streak.
The year ended in somewhat disappointing fashion, as the team could only muster one run in what turned out to be the season finale. After Wheaton scored three runs in the top of the second, Tufts responded with their lone run when freshman Courtney Bongiolatti scored on senior Emily Ferrazza's sacrifice fly to left field.
After the second inning, Wheaton's sophomore hurler Jackie Demling regained control of the game and shut down Tufts for the remainder of the afternoon. In seven innings of work, Demling surrendered only two hits while striking out three.
In the final game of her career, Jumbos' co-captain Jodie Moreau gave up four hits and struck out seven.
The loss to Wheaton came only a day after Tufts dropped a 2-1 decision in 13 innings to Bridgewater State, bringing an end to the team's 16 game winnings streak.
Despite the two losses to close the season, the year was nevertheless successful.
"All the work we've put in is to get success at the highest level," coach Kris Talon said. "We've reached circles we wanted to, including being undefeated in the conference and winning NESCACs. It comes from a great team effort and tremendous leadership with contributions from up and down the line-up."
Tufts defeated Western New England by a 1-0 margin in game two of the NCAA Div. III New England Regional tournament. It also handled Williams College two times in the NESCAC tournament.
In the Jumbos' second game of the NESCAC Championship tournament against Williams College on May 5, they came away with a 2-0 victory and the NESCAC Championship. Moreau brought her winning ways to the mound, giving up just two Williams hits - both in the first inning. Moreau concluded the game by retiring 19 out of the final 20 Ephs who came to the plate.
The scoring started in the top of the first when senior Tiffany Trahan tripled with two outs. A single by sophomore Julie Fox drove in Trahan to put Tufts on the board. It wasn't until the top of the seventh that the second run was scored, on a towering solo home run by Bongiolatti. Aside from providing offensive clout, Bongiolatti also made a diving catch that saved the tying run from scoring early in the game. Trahan, Fox, and senior co-captain Ferrazza ended the day with two hits apiece.
Tufts struggled against Williams pitcher Katherine Baldwin in the first game but figured her out in the second.
"On Sunday we were smarter [than they had been in the first matchup the day before], and we weren't swinging at Baldwin's riseball, and so we were able to score earlier," Fox said. "We also got a lot more solid hits off Baldwin during the second match-up."
The first game against the NESCAC title contenders was not so easy, though the Jumbos were able to pick up a narrow one run victory. In what amounted to a pitchers duel between Moreau and Baldwin, Baldwin gave the Jumbos a scare, as she retired the first nine she encountered. However, in the fourth the streak was broken by Ferrazza, who led off with a single and later stole second.
When senior Jen Mackey reached base on catcher's interference, Trahan laid down the ground work for the run by putting down a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third. A single by Fox scored Ferrazza and was the only run of the game.
The top of the seventh presented the Ephs with an opportunity to even the score, when Courtney Gordon got to second on an infield throwing error. Mary Baccash would follow with an infield single to advance Gordon to second, but Moreau took care of business striking out the last two Williams players to seal the win.
Defense ruled the day in both contests, and Moreau had help in her pair of shut-outs from junior catcher Lis Drake. Drake picked a runner off second base and threw a runner out trying to steal third, as well as calling two solid games behind the plate.
"We need to be perfect on defense, much like what we were for these two games, one or two mistakes can make the difference. In addition to staying consistent on defense, we need to hit the ball a bit better. If we get offense going earlier, it will create a bit more of a cushion," Talon said.
Although the team has been eliminated from the postseason, accolades for this stellar squad are already pouring in. Moreau was named the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association Player of the Year. She was also selected for the 2002 Verizon Academic District I College Division Softball team along with senior teammate Jen Mackey for their academic and athletic combined prowess.
With a 0.52 ERA and a 19-1 record, Moreau is also in the running for national pitcher of the year. Drake shares All-New England First Team honors with Moreau, while Trahan, Mackey, and Fox earned All-New England Second Team berths.
Despite all the individual recognition the players remain more concerned with the team as a whole. "Softball is the ultimate team game. Individual honors are great to receive, as it is always nice to have your hard work recognized." Mackey said. "But it shouldn't be overlooked that people are also singled out because of the efforts of the team around them. We are lucky to have a successful program, and the awards that people receive are really a testament to this team as a whole."@s:Accolades abound for softball players
