THE BASICS 

Score: 
GM 1 – Lesley University, 0 at Fitchburg State, 7
GM 2 – Lesley University, 5 at Fitchburg State, 7

Records: 
Lesley Lynx (6-18)
Fitchburg State Falcons (7-26)

Location: Fitchburg, Mass. – Donna Lee Withington Field

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

THE LEAD –  After concluding its four-game homestand yesterday, the Lesley University softball team hit the road for a quick mid-week matchup at Fitchburg State where the Lynx fell in both games, 7-0 and 7-5.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 1)

• Fitchburg's offense started fast as the hosts opened the game with a six-run first inning highlighted by a bases clearing RBI double from Isabella Sousa that made it 3-0 at the time.
• Lesley had a chance to respond in the following inning when the Lynx were able to have runners on first and second with two outs after walks from both Jess O'Neill (Reading, Mass.) and Isabella Moscoso (El Cajon, Calif.). Unfortunately, Falcons starter Madison Solt retired the next batter and kept the Lynx scoreless.
• However, Lesley's starter Emma Hodgkins (Raymond, N.H.) kept Fitchburg's offense quiet and escaped multiple jams including a point in the fourth when the Falcons started the inning with a lead off double to right with no outs. However, Hodgkins was able to get the next Falcons batter to line out into a double-play and then would go on to retire the next batter via ground out.
• After Fitchburg tacked on another run in the sixth that made it 7-0, the Lynx offense once again had a chance to strike when the squad lead off the seventh with back-to-back singles from Lauren Martin (Lexington, Mass.) and O'Neill. However, Solt retired the next three Lesley batters in order to secure the 7-0 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 1)

• Four different Lynx recorded at least one hit in game one (Leah St. John (New Ipswich, N.H.), Shae Thomas (Clayton, N.C.), Martin, and O'Neill.
• Hodgkins was dealt with the loss in game on after going 6.0 IP and allowing 11 hits and seven runs (four earned) while striking out three.
• Sousa led the Fitchburg offense in game one after notching three RBIs. 
• Solt grabbed the win in game one after she tossed a complete game and allowed just four hits and zero runs while striking out five.

HOW IT HAPPENED (GM 2)

• Just like game one, Fitchburg got off to a quick start in the first with a three-run first inning which featured a two-run RBI triple from Kaleigh Papierski that made it 3-0.
• Despite the early lead, Lesley responded with a three-run frame of its own highlighted by a two-run RBI single courtesy of Madison Herbert (Milford, N.H.) that made it 3-2 at the time. In the very next at-bat Sydney McAvoy (Billerica, Mass.) tied the game at three after grounding out resulting in O'Neill to score. 
• After the Falcons added on a run in the the third to go up 4-3, the Lynx once again answered Fitchburg's scoring with a two-run fifth to grab their first lead of the afternoon. Martin got the scoring started in the inning after she ripped an RBI double to deep center that allowed Hodgkins to score after she singled earlier in the game. Moscoso then drove in the go-ahead run in the next at-bat by taking advantage of a Falcons error which resulted in Thomas crossing the plate. 
• Unfortunately, Fitchburg would end up taking back the lead with a two-run after RBIs from Priscilla Dillion and Papierski. Falcons starter Sydney Gabay, would keep the Lynx bats at bay during the sixth by retiring the side. Later in the seventh, the hosts would tack on another run making it 7-5 and in the bottom half of the frame, Gabay once again got the side and earned the 7-5 win. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS (GM 2)

• Herbert finished with a season-high two RBIs in game two. 
• Along with Herbert, Martin and McAvoy also recorded RBIs. 
• Herbert would get the loss in game two after going 6.0 IP allowing 11 hits and seven runs (five earned) while striking out three. 
• Papierski paced Fitchburg's offense with three RBIs and along with Papierski, Dillion also had multiple RBIs (two).
• Gabay earned the win in game two after tossing a complete game and givng up seven hits and allowing five runs (two earned) while striking out three.

UP NEXT

• Lesley returns to action on Friday, April 25 when the squad hosts Husson University in a North Atlantic Conference doubleheader starting at 11:00 a.m.