BOSTON, Mass. – First year right-hander Sarah Bushman (Aurora, Colo.) tossed a complete-game, one-hitter to send the Lynx to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship game following a 6-0 shut-out of Bay Path University, Saturday afternoon.
Lesley jumped on sophomore right-hander Madison Goodhart (Pawtucket, R.I.) scoring once in the top of the second inning. Senior designated player Allyson Nisbet (Clovis, Calif.) began the inning with a single down the leftfield line before being pinch-run for by first year leftfielder Patricia Muratore (Mamaroneck, N.Y.). The Long Island native quickly moved into scoring position on an error by the catcher before scoring seconds later on a throwing error by the shortstop.
The Lynx added to their lead an inning later, pushing across three runs in the top of the third. After back-to-back base-hits begin the frame, first year backstop Ally Murphy (Raynham, Mass.) lined a two-run double to the opposite field to put the Lynx up 3-0. Sophomore first baseman Jordan Raab (Rochester, N.H.) brought home Murphy, who advanced to third on the throw, with a sacrifice fly to center.
With a 4-0 lead heading into the home half of the third, Bushman was in groove. She made quick work of the Wildcats in the bottom of the third, striking out the side in order.
In the top of the fourth, the Lynx offense remained red-hot. Junior centerfielder Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) opened the inning with a base-hit back where it came from. Senior rightfielder Mekenzi Golden (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) ripped a single into leftfield. Pereira attempted to score from first but was thrown out at the plate by leftfielder Marissa Sarna-McCarthy (Westhampton, Mass.). However on the back-end of the play Golden advanced into scoring position.
Henderson roped a double down the leftfield line to bring home Golden with the second Lynx run. The Lynx shortstop came in to score moments later on a base-hit into centerfield off the bat of senior third baseman Carlyn Barker (Temecula, Calif.) to put Lesley on top 6-0.
It was more than enough for Bushman. Despite giving up a two-out walk in the bottom of the fourth, she retired 12 of the next 13 batters she faced including the last nine Wildcats in order to improve to 13-6 on the season.
The Lynx move on to face the winner of the Bay Path University and Newbury College game in the NECC Championship game tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Sweeney Field in Boston, Mass.