WORCESTER, Mass. -- Salem State sophomore Paige Flemming (Methuen, MA) went 2-for-3 with a three-run triple as she helped propel the #3 seeded Vikings to a 7-5 triumph over second-seeded Bridgewater State in the elimination game of the MASCAC softball tournament semifinals this afternoon at Rockwood Park.
Salem State (31-11) moves on to play #4 Westfield State in the MASCAC Championship game on Sunday at 12 PM. The Bears end their league tournament run and season with a 29-13 record.
The Owls had previously defeated Bridgewater State, 4-0, earlier in the day to move on the title game.
The Bears grabbed the early 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning. With the bases loaded, sophomore Jasmyn McCone (Taunton, MA) scored after senior Penny King (Hanover, MA) got plunked in the shin. In BSU's next at-bat, junior Jordan McDermott (E. Bridgewater, MA), hit a RBI-single to left field to score classmate Brianna Strecker (Waterford, CT).
The Vikings (31-11) responded in the top of the second frame. With the bases loaded and no outs, Flemming ripped a liner in the right-center gap that scored junior teammates Alyssa Bryan (Stoneham, MA), Christina Cipriani (Peabody, MA) and freshman Jenn Toussaint (Reading, MA) to give SSU the 3-2 edge.
However, Bridgewater State sophomore Amber White (Middleboro, MA) was able to retire the next three batters in order to end Salem State's rally.
BSU knotted the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the third as fourth-year Stephanie Burns (N. Attleboro, MA) hit an infield RBI-single back to the pitcher to plate King.
In the top half of the fourth inning, Salem pushed ahead 4-3 as Cipriani scored an unearned run on an errant throw by the shortstop.
The Vikings would tack on three key insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning for the 7-3 advantage.
With one out, sophomore Amanda Flower (Reading, MA) and senior Michelle Grifoni (Peabody, MA) slammed back-to-back doubles - with Flower scoring on Grifoni's – to begin the surge.
Fourth-year Gabbie Vitale (Danvers, MA) was issued a free pass in the next at-bat to put runners on first and second. The ensuing batter, junior Lauren Garchinsky (Saugus, MA) hit a grounder back to the pitcher who overthrew the third baseman which allowed Grifoni to score. Vitale later crossed the plate on a groundout-RBI by Bryan.
The Bears tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, but to no avail. After two consecutive safeties by Strecker and junior Jennifer Shaw (Brockton, MA), King hit a double down the left field line to score both runners and cut the deficit to 7-5.
Bryan was then lifted in favor of senior Katelynn Fanning (E. Boston, MA) who came in and retired the next three batters in order – with two coming by way of strikeout – for her second save of the season to help clinch the victory for the Vikings.
Bryan (16-4) picked up the win as she pitched six-plus innings and scattered five hits and five earned runs. She had two punch-outs and issued five free passes. Fanning picked up her second save of the season with her one perfect inning of relief.
White (16-6) was dealt with the loss as she went seven innings and allowed seven runs (five earned) and nine base-knocks. She had one walk and fanned two batters.
In addition to Fleming, Flower and Toussaint had multi-hit games for the Vikings while Strecker and McDermott each had two hits apiece for Bridgewater State. Strecker went 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored in the loss.
Salem State held the slight 9-8 edge in the hitting department while the Bears left nine runners (five in scoring position) on base to SSU's four.