Funk Homers, But Softball Swept By No. 23 Tufts, 2-0 and 11-5

MEDFORD -- The 23rd-ranked Tufts University softball team was led by the arm of first-year P Allyson Fournier (South Windsor, CT) and the bat of first-year OF Michelle Cooprider (Hopkinton, MA) in a double-header sweep, 2-0 and 11-5, of Babson College on Wednesday afternoon at Spicer Field.

Fournier dominated game one as she recorded 12 strikeouts in the first four innings. The Jumbos scored the only run needed in the third inning on a two-out RBI single from sophomore catcher Jo Clair (Glastonbury, CT). Sophomore LF Sara Hedtler (Wrentham, MA) scored the run after she led off the inning with a bunt single.

Babson did not have a runner advance past second base for the entire game and the best opportunity to score for the Beavers came in the sixth inning when senior catcher Jess Pashos (Winchester, MA) led off with a walk. After Fournier struck out the next batter, senior Nicole Latini (East Bridgewater, MA) reached on a single, but the threat was silenced by two more punch-outs from Fournier.

Tufts added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI-single from sophomore Chrissie Massrey (San Juan Capistrano, CA). Fournier shut down the Beavers in the seventh with a 1-2-3 frame.

With the complete-game victory, Fournier is now 8-0. She finished with 17 strikeouts, allowing just two hits with four walks. Junior Megan Brain (Pompton Plains, NJ) took the tough-luck loss for Babson, going six innings and surrendering two runs on nine hits.

Game two saw more offense as the two teams combined for 24 hits. Babson took control first in the third inning, 3-0, on a three-run homer by junior SS Catie Funk (Scarborough, ME), plating Pashos and junior 2B Jackie Enos (Taunton, MA), who both had singled.

Tufts exploded in the home half for seven runs on seven hits while sending 13 batters to the plate. Cooprider began the rally with a leadoff single and later scored on a based-loaded walk drawn by senior 1B Lena Cantone (Southington, CT). Junior 2B Emily Beinecke (Concord, MA), senior CF Lizzy Iuppa (Paramus, NJ) and Massrey also added run-scoring singles for the Jumbos in the inning.

The Beavers got two runs back in the next inning on an RBI-double from Pashos and a run-scoring single by Latini to pull within two at 7-5.

The Jumbos put the game away in the bottom of the fourth with the long ball. First-year 3B Kris Parr (Austin, TX) led off the frame with her first home run. Then Massrey reached on a walk and senior SS Mira Lieman-Sifry (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) was safe at first base on an error. That set up Cooprider for her first collegiate homer, a three-run shot, to make the score 11-5 Jumbos.

Sophomore pitcher Lauren Giglio (Niskayuna, NY) kept Babson scoreless through the final 3 2/3 innings after relieving junior Rebecca DiBiase (Wellesley, MA). DiBiase (6-2) picked up the win in 3 1/3 innings of work. Giglio earned her first save while allowing two hits, two walks and striking out three.

Hedtler was a perfect 4-for-4 in game two while Beinecke and Cooprider checked in with two-hit games.

Pashos led the Beavers offensively in game two, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Enos, Funk and junior CF Ashleigh Phelps (West Chester, PA) had multi-hit games as well.

Tufts has won five games in a row and is now 16-3 on the year. They return to NESCAC East play on Friday with game one of a three-game series with Trinity. First pitch at Spicer Field is set for 4 pm.

Babson falls to .500 at 12-12 and will play NEWMAC opponent Wellesley in a double-header at home on Friday afternoon at 3 pm.

NOTE: Taken from a Tufts University press release.