Softball blanked, 2-0, in New England opener at Framingham State

Brianna Urena '20 (Photo by Alice Shore)
Brianna Urena '20 (Photo by Alice Shore)

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University softball team suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Framingham State University today in the New England opener for both teams. The Judges fall to 3-4 on the season, while the Rams improve to 1-0.

Framingham State scored the only run they would need against Brandeis rookie Scottie Todd (Tampa, Fla./Strawberry Crest) in the bottom of the first. FSU right fielder Dayna Marchant singled to lead off the inning and moved to second on an error. After a walk and a strikeout by Todd, Ram 1B Kylie Boyle single up the middle to open the scoring. Todd got the next two outs to escape further damage.

Brandeis had a runner in the top of the first, when sophomore 2B Marysa Massoia (Feeding Hills, Mass. / Suffield Acad.) singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch one batter later. Framingham State hurler Kelsi Gunarathne got a pop-up to end the inning.

Gunarathne then retired 12 of the next 13 Brandeis hitters before the Judges mounted a threat with two out in the top of the fifth. Rookie right fielder Taylor Simala (Wellsburg, W.Va. / Brooke) singled to center and classmate 3B Brianna Urena (Somerset, Mass. / Somerset Berkley Regional) doubled to left-center to put two runners in scoring position. Gunarathne induced a grounder to third to keep the Judges off the scoreboard.

FSU 3B Anna Dziok gave the home team an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with a homer to left, and Gunarathne retired the side in order in the seventh to earn the complete-game victory. She allowed just three hits and walked just one, striking out five. 

Brandeis returns to action on March 18 at Clark University. The Judges and Rams will meet again in Waltham on April 4 at 4 p.m.