CAMBRIDGE, MA – Lesley University tied a softball program record with its 12th win in a row, defeating visiting Regis College, 6-0, Thursday afternoon in non-conference play.
Lynx starter Jennifer Dorval (Franklin, NH/Franklin) dominated in a six-inning, one-hit shutout in improving to 11-2 on her freshman campaign. She was on-point early on, striking out the side in the second and fourth, tallying eight strikeouts through four, when a pair of Lesley two-out hits put Dorval's club on ahead in the bottom of the inning.
Junior Jenna Fralick (Woburn, MA/Woburn) beat out a bunt single to third base and swiped second base on the ensuing pitch. Maria Nazzaro (North Reading, MA/St. Mary's) lined a single off the glove of Regis first base Hope Benjamin and into right field, easily scoring Fralick with the game's first run.
Lesley added three unearned runs with the help of three Pride errors in the fifth. Ashley Cunningham (Mountain Top, PA/Crestwood) legged out an RBI double down the line in left that scored catcher Molly Sarson from second. Pinch-running for Cunningham, Rian Powers (Portland, ME/Deering) scored on a Shannon Hurley throwing error, Regis' third miscue of the inning, putting Lesley ahead 5-0.
A Nazzaro RBI single made it a 6-0 game in the bottom of the sixth just moments before the game was called due to lightning.
Regis starter Sarah Porteus (South Wellfleet, MA) allowed only three earned runs in her 5 2/3 innings pitched, striking out three and walking three. Pride infielder Rachel Cavella (West Roxbury, MA) went 1-for-3 with the team's only hit.
Nazzaro led the Lynx with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, scoring a run and driving in two. Emily Mangiaratti (Amherst, MA/Amherst) went 2-for-4 at the top of the Lynx lineup, and Gabrielle Brixey went 2-for-3 as Lesley improved to 9-0 at Buckingham Field.
Dorval ended her fourth shutout of the year with eight strikeouts, three walks, one hit and a hit batter in her six innings, lowering her earned run average to 1.75.
At 21-6, Lesley returns to NECC play with a doubleheader at Mitchell College tomorrow at 3:30. With the Pride's season now over, the teams will meet again next season when Regis (4-35) joins the NECC.
Lesley will honor seniors Cunningham, Alyson Durben and Chelsea Quackenbush on Senior Day at Buckingham Field prior to Saturday's regular season finale against Daniel Webster at 2:00 p.m.