In the first game, Springfield scored at least one run in every inning but the fourth. It was 3-2 , SC, after three innings. Then the Pride tallied two more in the fifth to go up, 5-2. Rutgers-Camden came back with two in the sixth to close it to 5-4. But Springfield equalled that with two in its half of the sixth. Rutgers-Camden then scored three in the top of the seventh to tie it at 7-all. SC then pushed one run across in the bottom of the seventh to win it. Two days ago, SC had scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to win, 6-5. Rutgers-Camden won the NCAA Division III title in softball in 2006.

Senior second baseman Denise Fumicello (Brockton, Mass.) went 3-for-5, with 2 RBI's and a triple. Junior outfielder Amanda Lyons (Eastchester, N.Y.) went 3-for-4 with 1 RBI. Sophomore outfielder Bryn Worrilow (North Babylon, N.Y.) went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI's. Junior 3B Shanda Kogut (Preston, Conn.) went 2-for-4 with 1 RBI, and freshman shortstop Jaimie Moran (Manchester, Conn.) went 2-for-5 with a double. Junior lefthander Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, Mass.) pitched a complete game, picking up the win, striking out four and walking one.

In game #2, Springfield found itself down to Spring Arbor, 2-0, after one inning. The Pride battled back, scoring its lone run in the top of the third. But Spring Arbor added two in the bottom of that frame. Spring Arbor added one more in the fifth. For Springfield, junior DP Danielle Spiro (South Windsor, Conn.) went 2-for-4 and knocked in the run. Junior outfielder Angela Atkins (East Haddam, Conn.) and Worrilow each went 2-for-4. Junior outfielder Kasey Calderone (Pipersville, Pa.) went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Freshman right-hander Katie Anderson (Andover, Mass.) hurled the first three innings and picked up the loss. She walked four and struck out one. As a team, Springfield outhit Spring Arbor, 11-7.

Springfield is off today (March 19). On Thursday (March 20), the Pride will play Framingham State at 3:00 pm, then Suffolk at 5:00 pm in Kissimee.

published: 03/19/2008