Salem State Bounces Softball From MASCAC Tournament

Worcester, MA --- Senior Kaitlyn Fanning (E. Boston, MA) fanned eight in a complete game victory to help propel #3 Salem State to a 7-1 triumph over top-seeded Worcester State in the losers bracket of the MASCAC Softball Tournament semifinals this afternoon at Rockwood Park.

With the win the Vikings improve to 30-12 and move to the semifinal elimination game at 4 PM. They will take on the victor of the winner's bracket game at 2 PM between #2 Bridgewater State and fourth-seeded Westfield State.

In the setback, the Lancers have been eliminated from the tournament and they fall to 21-19 overall. The Blue and Gold await word on a possible ECAC Division III Softball Tournament bid on selection Monday.

Salem State broke a scoreless game in the top of the fourth on an RBI double to left by junior Christina Cipriani (Peabody, MA).

Worcester State tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth as they juiced the bases with two outs. Junior Aimee Lamoureux (E. Brookfield, MA) drew a walk to equalize the game, but Fanning ended the threat with a strikeout to get out of the jam.

SSU promptly answered in the top of the sixth by plating an unearned run on a sacrifice fly by Cipriani to make the score 2-1.

After Fanning tossed a scoreless sixth, the Vikings put the game away with a five-run seventh highlighted by run producing singles by senior Gabbie Vitale (Danvers, MA) and junior Alyssa Bryan (Stoneham, MA).

Freshman Jenn Toussaint (Reading, MA) also blasted her MASCAC-leading 10th homer of the season with a two-run leftfield shot to cap off the scoring for the Vikings.

The Lancers went 1-2-3 in the seventh as Fanning would earn the victory to improve her record to 11-6. Fanning yielded five hits and issued four walks.

Junior Hannah Everson (Methuen, MA) was tagged with the setback as she allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits to go with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Byran, Cipriani and senior Michelle Grifoni (Peabody, MA) all finished with two base-knocks each while Bryan crossed home plate twice.

Worcester State had a frustrating day at the plate with no multi-hitters. WSU stranded eight in total and a trio of runners in scoring position.