For Immediate Release
May 10, 2008
Courtesy Rhode Island College Sports Information
Wellesley Falls to Tufts in NCAA Regionals
Providence, RI—Fourth-seeded Wellesley fell to second-seeded Tufts, 5-1, in game 10 of the 2008 NCAA Div. III New England Regional Softball Tournament, hosted by Rhode Island College at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex. The Jumbos (30-10) advance to face third-seeded St. Joseph’s at 6 p.m., with the winner facing host Rhode Island College in the finals at noon tomorrow.
Wellesley softball, in only its fourth year of existence, finishes its season with a school record 30 wins and ranked #22 in Division III.
After two offensive exhibitions in must-win games against Bridgewater State and Rivier, in which the Blue scored a total of 19 runs, Wellesley managed just three hits and one run off Tufts junior Lauren Gelmetti (Westfield, N.J.). With a 3-2 record in the NCAA Regional Tournament, the Blue end the season ranked fourth in New England.
Tufts took a three-run lead in the top of the first as senior second baseman Danielle Lopez (Danvers, Mass.) cleared the bases with a double to left field. Tufts added two runs in the sixth as sophomore shortstop Casey Sullivan (Berlin, Conn.) smacked a one-out solo home run (7) to left field and junior designated player Cara Hovhanessian (Farmington, Conn.) plated one with an infield single.
Wellesley finally scored a run in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore left fielder Megan Wood (Jacksonville, Fla.) doubled in sophomore right fielder Ilana Orloff (Weston, Mass.).
Wellesley senior starting pitcher Jenna Harvey (London, Ontario) took the loss (17-5), allowing four runs on eight hits, while striking out six, in 5.1 innings. Junior Beej Grundlock (Blackwood, N.J.) came on to hurl the final 1.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits.