CAMBRIDGE, MA – In effort to make it as suspenseful as possible the Lady Lynx waited to the final game of the season to clinch the final playoff spot of the NAC Eastern Division.

Lesley split its double-header with Lasell College yesterday. Lesley needed one win against Lasell to overtake Husson College and move into fourth place in the NAC East, which would make them eligible for the NAC softball playoffs. Lasell College took the first game 5-1, which clinched the Eastern Division for Lasell. With their backs against the wall Lesley dug deep and pulled out a 4-1 victory against the new Division Champions.

Slayted to start game two of the double header Maureen Mikos (Fairfield, CT) was hit by a pitch in the first game on a severe contusion she already had on her left arm. Amy Breen (Holbrook, MA) was then given the start in game two of the double header. Breen stepped up to the challenge and pitched a beautiful four and a third innings on her way to the win. Breen gave up one run on four hits while striking out two and walking zero. Mikos came in for relief for Breen in the fifth inning, in heroic fashion. Despite intense pain in her non-pitching arm Mikos came in and pitched a near flawless two and two-thirds innings. Mikos let up zero runs on three hits while striking out four en route to picking up her third save in three chances this season.

The Lynx overcame a 1-0 deficit after one inning with a tremendous four run third inning. Katie Wilson (Kittery, ME) led off the forth inning with a single. After a strike out, Courtnie Leakeas (Lowell, MA) singled to center, advancing Wilson to second. Gianna Spaziante (Hawthorne, MA) gave the Lynx the lead with a 2 RBI double which scored Wilson and Leakeas. Spaziante then scored on a passed ball. Sarah Wilson (Lowell, MA) kept the offense going with a double which knocked Lasell pitcher Valentina Taliaferro (Winchester, MA) out of the game. Facing Amanda Corey (Brookline, CT), who was near perfect in the first game, Stephanie Amaral (Seakonk, MA) capped off the rally with a RBI single that scored Sarah Wilson. Lesley’s four run third inning was more than enough for Breen and Mikos as they did not allow another Lasell run to score

With a runner on second and two outs in the top of the seventh Mikos threw what was the last pitch of the night. The ball was grounded back to her and she turned and threw to Lisa Pina (Somerville, MA). When Pina caught it Mikos pumped her fist in the air and let out an emotional yell of joy, a cry of celebration that symbolized the emotional ride the Lynx endured and the substantial injury she overcame to help guide her team to their first playoff appearance in more than three years.

As the players embraced each other on the side of the field it was apparent that this victory was a lot more than a team winning a game. With the first part of the journey complete the Lesley Lynx head towards their goal of a NAC Championship as they travel to Lasell College on Tuesday for the quarterfinals. The start time for the game is still to be determined but for more information on this remarkable team please go to their website.