April 6, 2010

Game One - Box Score | Game Two - Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island softball team (11-18) increased its winning streak to a season-high four games Tuesday afternoon at the URI softball complex as it defeated Brown 4-3 (game one) and 7-1 (game two).

In game one, Rhody held a 3-2 lead heading into the seventh inning, but Brown would not go quietly as senior Amanda Asay drilled a two-out home run over the right field wall.

In the bottom half of the seventh, sophomore catcher Nicole Massoni drilled a two-out single up the middle to give Rhody the win.

Massoni's game-winning single was her only hit of the game as she went 1-for-4. Freshman Melissa Perez came in from third after she pinch ran for freshman Samantha Stevens, who got on base with a single to left center field.

Sophomore Jayshree Narendran came on in relief of starter Amanda Sbei to pick up the win. Narendran worked 5.0 innings and struck out five.

In the second game, Rhody plated five runs in the first three innings and jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. Massoni, sophomore Courtney Prendergastt and freshman Erika Szymanski homered in the first, second and third innings, respectively.

Brown threatened in the sixth as it loaded the bases with no outs, but URI starter Alison Hartzell held the Bears to just one run.

The Rams responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame thanks to a single up the middle by senior Leah DiBussolo, which drove in senior Darci Borden and sophomore Anne Sullivan.

Narendran came in to pitch the seventh and held the Bears to just one hit to secure the win.

Hartzell picked up the win and improved to 4-2 on the year. The sophomore hurler worked 6.0 innings and struck out seven.

The Rams return to action Wednesday afternoon as they head to Connecticut. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.