Vikings' Season Comes to an End in MASCAC Semifinals

WESTFIELD, Mass.- Salem State softball's season came to an end this afternoon after the Lancers of Worcester State defeated them by a tally of 4-3 in the semifinals of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) tournament. The Vikings ended their season with an overall record of 14-26 while going 7-7 in conference action.

How it Happened:

• Samantha Gaona (Billerica, Mass.) and Dawn Eisnor (Medford, Mass.) started the game with singles to right field before a throwing error brought Gaona home to give the Vikings the early 1-0 advantage.
• The Lancers would take the 3-1 lead an inning later when four hits brought around three runs, with two of them coming off the bat of Bailey Tammaro's (Fitchburg, Mass.) double to center field.
• The Vikings tied the game in the third thanks to a Mackenize DeSantis (Ridge, N.Y.) double and an error that would bring Hailey Ano (Pittsfield, Mass.) home to make it a 3-3 game.
• The stalemate would not last long as the Lancers answered in the home half of the fourth when Bella Gasbarro (Leominster, Mass.) got on base with a triple before a sacrifice fly would bring her home and reclaim her squad's lead (4-3).
• Gaona looked to rally her team in the top of the seventh after a single up the middle would put her on base, but she would be caught stealing to end the rally and the game, solidifying the Lancers' 4-3 victory.

Noteworthy

• With her two-hit performance on the afternoon, Gaona has now recorded a multi-hit game in five of her last six outings for the Vikings.
• The Vikings will graduate Isabella Perrotti (Winthrop, Mass.), Stephanie Grassi (Cambridge, Mass.), Katherine Quigley (Ipswich, Mass.), Emily Carter (Warwick, R.I.), Payton Jeffers (Holly Ridge, N.C.), Mackenzie DeSantis, and Hailey Langenfeld (Hardyston, N.J.)