FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 13, 2007

2007 NCAA Div. III Softball Tournament
New England Region Score Report

Providence, RI

GAME 14

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#1 Rhode Island College (41-5)

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#2 Tufts (31-13)

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ANCHORWOMEN DOWN JUMBOS, 8-4, TO ADVANCE TO NCAA DIV. III SOFTBAL TOURNAMENT
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Eight Anchorwomen Named to All-Tournament Squad

Providence, RI—Top-seeded Rhode Island College defeated second-seeded Tufts, 8-4, in the championship game of the 2007 NCAA Div. III Softball New England Regional Tournament. The Anchorwomen advance to the National Championship Round, held in Salem, Virginia, beginning on Friday, May 18. Sixth-seeded Rhode Island College will face third-seeded Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 4 p.m. as RIC continues its quest for a National Championship.

RIC had defeated the Jumbos yesterday, 3-0, as senior pitcher Nicole Riley (North Providence, RI) handed Tufts just its second shutout loss of the season. Tufts defeated third-seeded Wellesley, 5-1, at noon today to eliminate the Blue and set up a rematch with the tournament hosts.

In the top of the first, Rhode Island College junior first baseman Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) lined a single to center field and was sacrificed to second by sophomore second baseman Justine Burgess (Uxbridge, MA). Senior catcher Kristyn Alexander (East Wareham, MA) smacked a line drive right back at Tufts sophomore starting pitcher Lauren Gelmetti (Westfield, NJ) to set up runners at the corners. Junior third baseman Krystal Bilek (Fitchburg, MA) bunted the ball back to the pitcher’s circle and Lotti beat Gelmetti’s throw to the plate to give RIC a 1-0 advantage.

The Jumbos evened the contest in the bottom of the second as junior designated player Erica Bailey (Scottsdale, AZ) and freshman first baseman Christie Tinker (Woodbridge, CT) connected on back-to-back singles off of Riley. Two Riley wild pitches allowed the runners to advance and Bailey slid under Alexander’s tag to knot the contest, 1-1.

Bailey came on to pitch for Gelmetti in the top of the fourth and two errors led to the Anchorwomen regaining the lead, 2-1. RIC freshman center fielder Jackie Dube (Barrington, NH) grounded to third and advanced to second on Tufts sophomore third baseman Samantha Kuhles’ (Somerville, NJ) errant throw. Junior shortstop Jeanne Rosa (Milford, CT) attempted to sacrifice Dube to third by laying down a bunt that Bailey fielded. She tried to underhand the throw to first, but it went awry, allowing Dube to score.

Bailey and Tinker provided the offense once again for the Jumbos in bottom of the fourth as Bailey singled and scored on Tinker’s double to left center field. Tinker came around to give Tufts its only lead of the game, 3-2, on junior catcher Megan Cusick’s (Albany, NY) double. Riley was chased from the contest as freshman Jamie Sacco (Bellingham, MA) came on with two on and two out to end the threat.

The Anchorwomen took the lead for good in the top of the sixth as Dube walked and Lotti reached on a fielder’s choice. After Lotti stole second, Burgess hit a flair out to center field, which plated both RIC runners and make the score 4-3.

RIC built its advantage in the top of the seventh to, 8-4, plating four runs on six hits, capped by an Alexander two-RBI double down the left field line.

The Jumbos tried to come back in their final at bat. After Sacco retired the first two batters she faced, she gave up three consecutive hits and a run, but Bailey was cut down trying to score at the plate to give RIC the win.

Sacco earned the victory (6-2), allowing one unearned run on four hits in 3.1 innings. Riley allowed three runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings. Bailey took the loss (8-5), allowing six runs, four of which were earned, on five hits to go along with three strikeouts. Gelmetti gave up nine hits and two runs in 3.2 innings of work.

RIC freshman right fielder Mandy Shurgot (Woonsocket, RI) paced the 14-hit Anchorwomen attack with a 4-for-4 performance that included a double and a run scored. Lotti, Alexander and sophomore left fielder Kelli McCartin (Cranston, RI) each had two hits.

Eight Anchorwomen were named to the NCAA Div. III New England Regional Softball All-Tournament Team.

Lotti was named to the All-Tournament Team at first base. She batted .400 (6-for-15) in four games with five runs scored, one triple, two RBI and two stolen bases.

Burgess was named to the All-Tournament Team at second base. She batted .308 (4-for-13) in four games with a tournament-high seven RBI, two runs scored and a double.

Bilek was named to the All-Tournament Team at third base. She batted .357 (5-for-14) in four games with two runs scored, two doubles and two RBI.

McCartin was named to the All-Tournament Team as an outfielder. She batted .462 (6-for-13) in four games with four runs scored and four RBI.

Riley was named to the All-Tournament Team as a pitcher. In four games, she was 3-0 with a 0.97 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21.2 innings of work.

Dube was named to the All-Tournament At-Large Team. The center fielder batted .400 (4-for-10) with four runs scored, one double, one RBI and played outstanding defense.

Alexander was named to the All-Tournament At-Large Team. She batted .400 (6-for-15) in four games as a catcher with four RBI and a double.

Shurgot was named to the All-Tournament At-Large Team. As a right fielder, she batted .500 (4-for-8) with one run scored and one double.

-Complete box score to follow-