Softball Sweeps Salem State in MASCAC Twinbill

SALEM, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University softball team limited host Salem State University to just two runs over two games as the visiting Bears swept a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.  Bridgewater blanked the Vikings in game one, 3-0, and earned the sweep with a 4-2 victory in game two.

Bridgewater improves to 17-13 overall as the Bears have won five of their last six games.  Salem falls to 18-10 on the season.  The two teams are tied atop the MASCAC standings with 7-3 conference marks.  

In game one the Bears took advantage of Salem State errors to snap the Vikings 12-game winning streak with the 3-0 victory.  Senior catcher Brianna Strecker (Waterford, CT) scored two runs for the Bears adding a double and a stolen base.  

BSU junior right-hander Amber White (Middleboro, MA) tossed her sixth shutout of the season as she scattered four hits and fanned two. White (10-5) has not allowed an earned run over her last four appearances (23 innings). 

Alyssa Bryan (Stoneham, MA) pitched a complete game allowing just three hits, one earned run and struck out eight in the loss for the Vikings.  

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Bears were once again led offensively by Strecker, who went 3-3 at the plate and scored two runs.  Infielder Jill Welch (Hubbardston, MA) drove in two runs for Bridgewater and senior Jennifer Shaw (Brockton, Mass.) went 2-4 with a run scored to help the Bears to a 4-2 victory. 

Senior pitcher, Meghan Dunn (Colchester, CT) pitched a complete game striking out four and giving up 11 hits and just two runs as she improved to 7-8 on the season.

Bryan (12-4) pitched the second game for the Vikings striking out nine batters in the loss.  She gave up four runs on ten hits with four walks. 

The Vikings could not capitalize on their 11 hits stranding seven base runners.  Sophomore Jenn Toussaint (Reading, MA) went 2-2 with an RBI and freshman Cara Crowley (Lynn, MA) continues to stay hot, batting 2-3 which included a triple.  

The Vikings are back in action on Tuesday afternoon when they host a conference doubleheader with Framingham State beginning at 2:00.  Bridgewater State will travel to Mass Maritime on Tuesday afternoon for a conference doubleheader beginning at 3:30.