By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
Framingham State softball improved their overall record to 10-10 after dominating four MASCAC matchups, but dropped two games to Babson.
The Rams rose to first in the MASCAC standings after handedly sweeping conference opponents Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and Massachusetts Maritime Academy April 6 and 7, respectively.
Framingham’s 9-1 five-inning mercy victory over Mass. Maritime, the first in their doubleheader, marked Larry Miller’s 200th win as head coach of the FSU softball program. He is only the third head coach across all FSU sports to reach this milestone.
“Milestones are great! They are an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the positives of the journey through my time here. We've had a lot of great moments as a program in those 200 victories, so thinking back to some of those has been nice,” Miller said.
He said he often talks about how there will always be a winner and a loser. “Winning isn't everything and it doesn't define you, but we strive to be a program that wants to be driven by winning - we want to be a championship-caliber program every year and that mindset and hard work and dedication from our student-athletes results in milestones like this one.”
Miller said the people - his coaching staff and athletes - have most contributed to this milestone.
He said, “One of the best pieces of advice I received early on in my career is to surround yourself with good people. Our campus and athletic administration are very supportive of our program and have been present at many of our big days.
“I am super fortunate to have had a tremendous coaching staff through the years with a lot of consistency in that - they really help balance me out,” Miller added jokingly.
He said, “But at the end of the day, it's the athletes. The students who come here for the opportunity to pursue their degree and play the sport they love buy in and commit to the level of expectation and commitment to the game and program that we ask of them and go out and excel on the field.
“I've been blessed to work with many incredible softball players, but some even better people in my 10 years here, and I'm excited to see what this team and then the next generation of Rams has in store!” Miller added.
Miller’s coaching milestone only emphasizes the team’s overall success this season.
During their four-game stretch of MASCAC matchups, the Rams beat MCLA and Mass. Maritime in four consecutive five-inning mercy victories.
Shortstop Brooke Grassia led the Rams’ commanding offense during their four-game win streak over the weekend. She recorded seven hits on 14 at bats, which included seven RBIs. This earned her MASCAC Player of the Week April 8.
Grassia said being named MASCAC Player of the Week is “awesome,” but the most important part of the week was improving the team’s MASCAC record to 5-1.
“It's cool, but it's more fun to come home with some wins with my teammates,” she said.
Catcher Eliza Carignan, a freshman, earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week April 8 and joins outfielder Marina Cadena as the two Rams to receive the honor this season.
Carignan said the honor is “exciting” after batting only one-for-six the previous week in Framingham’s doubleheader against Bridgewater State.
Third baseman Makayla Rooney said the team’s success this weekend came from being productive in their at bats and coming together as a team to make the right plays.
Most recently, the Rams dropped both games in their doubleheader against Babson College, a top-ranked Division III team in New England, April 9.
Framingham travels to Worcester April 13 and Salem April 15 for two more MASCAC doubleheaders.
Rooney said playing against Babson helped prepare the team for their upcoming conference matchups. “I think we're ready.”
Grassia said, “It's a good time of the season - it's right in the middle. We're doing our thing, everyone's doing their thing, and they’ll be good games.”