CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University split a non-conference doubleheader with Framingham State University on a cold, damp day at Buckingham Field. The Rams clipped the Lynx 4-3 in the opener before Lesley salvaged the split with an 8-1 win in game two. The nightcap wrapped up in the sixth due to darkness.
Both schools move to 4-8 on the season. The Lynx will be off until Wednesday, March 30th and travel to Emmanuel College for a doubleheader with the Saints at 6:30p. The Rams will be on the road on Tuesday, March 29th and battle UMass-Dartmouth for a pair at 3:30p.
Game One: Framingham State 4, Lesley 3
Box Score
The Rams opened the scoring in the second inning when junior Rachel Desrochers (Westford, Mass.) singled in sophomore Megan Downing (Hanson, Mass.). Desrochers would also score on the play as she was caught in a pickle between first and second, but an errant throw in the infield brought her around to put the guests up 2-0.
Downing was involved once again in the third as she beat out an infield single with one out and the bases loaded to extend their lead to 3-0. Lynx starter Kaera Wyse (Reading, Mass.) limited the damage to just the one run, however, escaping the jam with consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.
Lesley would cut into the Rams lead in the bottom half of the inning when junior Mekenzi Golden (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) knocked in senior Selena Quezada (West Covina, Calif.) with a fielder's choice.
Framingham added another run in the top of the fourth, but the Lynx answered once again in the bottom half as freshman Brianna Young (Marshfield, Mass.) sprayed a two-out, run scoring single to left that plated senior Jess Reynolds (Londonderry, N.H.) to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Lynx tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, and a two-out, RBI single by junior Carlyn Barker (Temecula, Calif.) brought the hosts to within one, but Rams starter Kelsi Gunarathne (North Providence, R.I.) stranded Barker at first and ended the game with a pop-out to the infield.
Both starters were effective as Gunarathne picked up her third win of the season going all seven innings, allowing seven hits, three runs (two earned), while racking up six strikeouts.
Wyse went the distance for the Lynx, yielding ten hits, four runs (two earned), and striking out five.
Sophomore Dayna Marchant (East Bridgewater, Mass.) powered the Rams attack with a perfect 4-for-4 performance at the dish with an RBI and a run scored.
Barker collected three hits for the hosts while Reynolds finished 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored.
Game Two: Framingham State 1, Lesley 8 (Final – 6 Innings)
Box Score
With the score even at 1-1 after three full innings, the Lynx exploded for six runs in the bottom of the fourth to gain separation.
Freshman Abby Henderson (Manchester, N.H.) led off the inning with a solo home run to deep left-centerfield – her second of the season. The Lynx would then pair four more hits in the inning with three Rams errors to push across five more runs.
Sophomore Courtney Goggin (Cheshire, Conn.)would reach on an error and later come around on a wild pitch before classmate Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) singled, stole second, and scored on a double by rookie Stephanie Schofield (Redwood City, Calif.). The Lynx capped the scoring in the inning on RBI singles by Barker and Golden that to stake a 7-1 edge.
Lesley hurler Alyson Nisbet (Clovis, Calif.) earned her second win of the season, allowing just one run on eight hits while striking out three in the complete game effort.
Barker, Henderson, and Pereira each had two hits to pace the Lynx offense while Marchant once again was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a run for the Rams.