FRAMINGHAM STATE FALLS TO NO. 1 RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, 3-2

Box score 

Providence, RI, May 10, 2007 - No. 1 Rhode Island College advanced in the championship bracket of the NCAA Division III Softball New England Regional Tournament, defeating No. 8 Framingham State, 3-2, on Thursday morning at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex.

The Anchorwomen used a three-run sixth, while senior pitcher Nicole Riley (North Providence, RI) registered nine strikeouts in six innings of work, to send the hosts into the second day of competition.

Rhode Island College (38-5) will face the winner of fourth-seeded Keene State College vs. fifth-seeded Endicott College (noon) tomorrow at 2 p.m., while Framingham State (21-20) squares off against the loser of the Owls and the Gulls at 10:00 a.m. in an elimination game.

In a closely contested affair, neither the Anchorwomen nor the Rams could solve the opposing starting pitcher, combining for just five hits through five and a half innings. Framingham State placed runners in scoring position in the fourth and fifth, but Riley buckled down and eliminated the threats.

Rhode Island College finally cracked the scoring column in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Anchorwomen were able to plate three runs. The hosts capitalized on a throwing error by Framingham State senior starting pitcher DeAnna Curtis (Lakeville, MA) on RIC shortstop Jeanne Rosa's (Milford, CT) bunt attempt, which allowed the junior to advance to second base. Rosa advanced to third on junior first baseman Christie Lotti's (Waterford, CT) ground out and scored on sophomore left fielder Kelli McCartin's (Cranston, RI) RBI fielder's choice. Senior catcher Kristyn Alexander (East Wareham, MA) plated McCartin on an RBI-single to left-center field, while junior third basemen Krystal Bilek (Fitchburg, MA) followed suit with an RBI-double to right-center field, scoring freshman pinch runner Kelsey Sousa (Braintree, MA) to cap the surge. 

The Rams would not go quietly in their final at-bats, scoring a pair of unearned runs off of Rhode Island College freshman pitcher Jamie Sacco (Bellingham, MA). With one out, Framingham State connected on consecutive singles and scored on the Anchorwomen's fourth defensive error. After a strikeout, Rams senior right fielder Laura Walsh (Dracut, MA) laced a RBI single to shallow left field, which McCartin fielded and cut down sophomore third basemen Colleen Clancy (Lynn, MA), the potential tying run, at the plate to end ballgame. 

Riley hurled six innings to raise her overall record to 27-3, allowing just two hits, while issuing a lone walk. Sacco gave up three hits and two unearned runs to pick up her first collegiate save. Curtis was the hard luck loser, surrendering three unearned runs and limiting the Rhode Island College to just six hits. She falls to 13-8 on the campaign.