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May 13, 2007

RIC softball wins, heads to national tournament

Top-seeded Rhode Island College defeated second-seeded Tufts, 8-4, in the championship game of the NCAA Division III Softball New England Regional Tournament in Providence.

The Anchorwomen advance to the National Championship Round, which will be held in Salem, Virginia, beginning on Friday. Sixth-seeded RIC will face third-seeded Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 4 p.m.

In the top of the first, RIC junior first baseman Christie Lotti lined a single to center field and was sacrificed to second by sophomore second baseman Justine Burgess . Senior catcher Kristyn Alexander smacked a line drive right back at pitcher Lauren Gelmetti to set up runners at the corners. Junior third baseman Krystal Bilek bunted the ball back to the pitcher's circle and Lotti beat Gelmetti's throw to the plate to give RIC a 1-0 advantage.

The Jumbos evened the contest in the bottom of the second as junior designated player Erica Bailey and freshman first baseman Christie Tinker connected on back-to-back singles off Riley. Two Riley wild pitches allowed the runners to advance and Bailey slid under Alexander's tag to knot the contest, 1-1.

Bailey came on to pitch for Gelmetti in the top of the fourth and two errors led to the Anchorwomen regaining the lead, 2-1. RIC freshman center fielder Jackie Dube grounded to third and advanced to second on Samantha Kuhles' errant throw. JJeanne Rosa attempted to sacrifice Dube to third by laying down a bunt that Bailey fielded but her underhand the throw to first was wide, allowing Dube to score.

Bailey and Tinker provided the offense once again for the Jumbos in bottom of the fourth as Bailey singled and scored on Tinker's double to left center field. Tinker came around to give Tufts its only lead of the game, 3-2, on Megan Cusick's double. Riley was chased from the contest as freshman Jamie Sacco came on with two on and two out to end the threat.

The Anchorwomen took the lead for good in the top of the sixth as Dube walked and Lotti reached on a fielder's choice. After Lotti stole second, Burgess hit a single to center field, which plated both RIC runners and make the score 4-3.

RIC built its advantage in the top of the seventh to, 8-4, plating four runs on six hits, capped by an Alexander two-RBI double down the left field line.

The Jumbos tried to come back in their final at bat. After Sacco retired the first two batters she faced, she gave up three consecutive hits and a run, but Bailey was cut down trying to score at the plate to give RIC the win.

Sacco earned the victory (6-2), allowing one unearned run on four hits in 3.1 innings. Riley allowed three runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings. Bailey took the loss (8-5), allowing six runs, four of which were earned, on five hits to go along with three strikeouts. Gelmetti gave up nine hits and two runs in 3.2 innings of work.

RIC freshman right fielder Mandy Shurgot paced the 14-hit Anchorwomen attack with a 4-for-4 performance that included a double and a run scored. Lotti, Alexander and sophomore left fielder Kelli McCartin each had two hits.

SCOTT GIBBONS (RIC Athletics)

Posted by Corey Bourassa  at 5:14 PM to College Sports | Permalink

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