Despite Improved Offensive Play, Foxborough Softball Loses to Franklin

It was another disappointing loss for the Warriors.  Holding a 5-3 lead with 1 out in the top of the 7th, it looked like Foxborough was going to walk away with a win against the Franklin Panthers. Two runs later it was a tied game that would end with a 7-5 extra innings win for the Panthers.

Franklin pitcher Elizabeth Criscione struggled to start the game. With Franklin up by 1 in the bottom of the 2nd  inning, Foxboro lit up Criscione for 4 runs.  Vicky Solomon hit a huge double to hit in two of those run and give Foxborough a big lead early on.

“They were scoring they were doing what they needed to. Everyone came to play," said Foxborough coach Lauren Cucinotta of the 2nd inning.

Immediately, Franklin began to chip away at the lead.  Anna Mahoney hit a double to bring Ellen Czuba home to make it a 2-4 game.

As Franklin began to find their stride on offense, as did the Franklin defense. Criscione kept Foxboro off base in the 3rd inning by striking out 2 of 3 batters. She would strike out 13 and only let up 5 hits in 8 innings of action. Waking up after the 2nd, Criscione kept the Panthers in striking distance and regained her composure after a rough start.

“Told her she’s been playing this game for a long time. She knows how to pitch, not to be nervous, and go right at em. Get ahead like we always do,” said Franklin coach Kate Fallon.

Ellen Czuba’s sacrifice fly ball in the top of the 4th inning would get Stephanie Lee home to get Franklin within 1. Foxboro would respond in the other side of the inning with a Jess Septellea run off of a Joanna Magusson single.

Foxborough maintained the lead though the rest of the game until the top of the 7th. With one out, Michaela Criscione hit a triple off of Ari Zanecchia to get the tying run to the plate. With Brenna Connoly in for Zanecchia, Franklin’s Anna Mahoney hit a single to get Criscione home to make it a 5-4 game. Despite getting to within 1 out of a win, the Warriors would give up another run on a Elizabeth Criscione single to make it a tie game.

The extra frame would be all Panthers. Taking advantage of having a running on base to start the inning, Haley Meieros scored on a Shannon Takahata double. Takahata herself would score off of a RaeAnn-MacLellan single to win the game 7-5.

“We(Franklin) had to get ourselves back into it. They took it upon themselves to get 2 and 2 in the 8th to win,” said Fallon.

It was a tough loss for Foxborough who got everyone home in the 2nd but couldn’t score afterwards.

“They struggled a little bit they got people on base just couldn’t push them across it happens. It comes down to who comes to play all 7 innings” Said Cucinotta.

Despite the loss, the Warriors displayed some big hit softball during the game. Chelsey Laracy went 3-4  with 4 stolen bases for the Warriors. Joanna Magunsson went 1-4 but had 2 RBIs. Vicki Solomon went 1-2 and also had 2 RBIs for the Warriors.

For the Panthers, Anna Mahoney went 3-4 with 2 RBIs. Shannon Takahata went 2-3. Stephaine Lee went 1-2.

The Warriors will be on the road for their next game. They are scheduled to face King Philip Regional High School on Wednesday. Game time is set for 3:30.