Box Score MEDFORD - Tufts pitchers Erica County and Allyson Fournier combined to give up just one hit in two games as the Tufts Softball team swept a NESCAC East Division double-header against Colby College on Saturday afternoon at Spicer Field. The Jumbos won by scores of 10-0 and 1-0.
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| Bri Keenan was one of five Jumbo seniors honored before Saturday's games |
With the wins, Tufts finished 12-0 in the NESCAC East for the fourth straight year. The Jumbos have won 49 straight games in their division overall. They also set a new program record for best start ever with their 36-0 record, surpassing the 2009 team's 35-0 start. The Jumbos have won 38 games in a row overall dating back to last season.
County pitched a one-hitter in the five-inning first game, walking one and striking out four. Colby junior DH Katherine Zafirson had the lone hit with a single to right field with two outs in the third. Colby did have runners in scoring position twice, but County was able to post her fourth shutout.
Tufts scored four times in the first led by a two-run single from senior RF Gracie Marshall. Senior CF Michelle Cooprider also singled home a run and scored in the inning. Sophomore LF Carrie Copacino doubled in a run in the second. Sophomore 1B Cassie Ruscz led off the third with a double and scored on a Colby error making it 6-0. Four more in the Tufts fourth were highlighted by a two-run triple from first-year catcher Raven Fournier.
Copacino, senior SS Bri Keenan, Cooprider and Ruscz all had two hits in game one to lead Tufts' 11-hit attack. Keenan, Cooprider and Ruscz all scored twice, with Cooprider also driving in two.
Colby's Julia Saul took the pitching loss going four innings allowing 11 hits, three walks and eight earned runs.
Game two was a pitcher's duel won by Fournier, who pitched her 16th career no-hitter and struck out 16. With Tufts leading 1-0 in the top of the fourth, the Mules loaded the bases against her with two Jumbo errors and a hit-by-pitch to first-year DH Skylar Labbe. However, Fournier got a strikeout to keep Colby off the scoreboard.
Tufts scored its lone run on Ruscz's solo home run with two outs in the third. The shot was her ninth of the season and the third of the series against the Mules.
Colby pitchers Megan Michie and Saul combined to hold Tufts to six hits. The Jumbos had four base runners in the second, but could not score. Junior 2B Christina Raso and Raven Fournier (2 for 2) both had doubles during the game but were stranded.
Tufts continues a busy week with a double-header at Wheaton College tomorrow. The games could prove to be the most challenging of the season as the Lyons are 28-4 overall. Colby finishes its season at home tomorrow with a single game versus Bates.
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