Trinity Softball Falls In Extra Innings At Tufts

Erica Merullo '18 had a single, a run, and an RBI. Photo is courtesy of Trinity College

Medford, Mass. - Sophomore C Raven Fournier hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Tufts University softball team to a 4-3 over the visiting Trinity College Bantams in a New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) East Division game this afternoon at Spicer Field.  Trinity led, 3-2, heading into the bottom of the sixth before yielding single runs in the sixth and eighth frames. Trinity falls to 13-7 overall and 3-1 in the NESCAC East, while Tufts improves to 14-6 overall and 7-0 with their 56th straight win in the division.

With the game tied 3-3 heading into extras, Trinity sophomore Erica Merullo (Lynnfield, Mass.) reached on an error leading off the eighth. However, Jumbo stater Erica County retired the next three hitters. Raso drew a one-out walk for the Jumbos in the bottom of the eighth, took third on a walk to Raina Galbiati and a base hit by Summer Horowitz, and then scored on Fournier's fly ball to left.

The Jumbos had taken a 2-0 lead with single runs in the second and third. Galbiati walked and scored on a double by Christian Cain in the second. Galbiati then singled home Michelle Chisdak, who reached on a fielder's choice, in the third.  All of Trinity's runs against County came in the fourth when they took a 3-2 advantage. Senior co-captain OF Erica Quinones (Trumbull, Conn.) led off with a single, first-year SS Courtney Erickson (Everett, Mass.) followed with a double, and then a fielder's choice by rookie C Nicole Towner (Erie, Colo.) and base hits by Merullo and sophomore CF Meaghan Race (Grand Rapids, Mich.) produced the runs.  Galbiati led off the sixth with a double, went to third on an error, and scored on a double-play ball to even the game at 3-3. Neither team threatened in the seventh.

County improved to 12-2 going eight innings allowing eight hits and three runs with seven strikeouts and two walks. Galbiati finished 2 for 2 with two runs and an RBI. Erickson led Trinity with a 3 for 4 game with a run. Bantam sophomore pitcher Rachael Smith (Winchester, Mass.) took the loss giving up five hits and four runs with a strikeout and six walks in 7.2 innings.  The teams will play a double-header at Spicer Field tomorrow starting at noon.