BRUNSWICK, Me. – An early four-run deficit proved too much to overcome on Friday afternoon, as Amherst softball dropped their NESCAC Championship tilt to top-ranked Tufts University, 8-0, in a five-inning contest.

The Mammoths closed the season 17-19 overall and 7-11 in NESCAC play. Tufts will continue into the playoffs with a 26-13 record.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

*The Jumbos led off with a four-point opening drive. Junior Kaitlyn Perucci inspired the rally with a single to left field, crossing the plate as senior Keriann Slayton drew a walk with bases loaded. Junior Lauryn Horita followed up with a double to center field that plated three runs and extended Tuft's lead to 4-0.

*As the Amherst bats struggled to connect hits, Tufts added a run in the bottom of the second as a sacrifice fly from sophomore Heaven Olivia scored Perucci, 5-0.

*First-year Abby Moravek opened the top of the third with a single up the middle, advancing to second on a bunt from first-year May Mishima, but the effort was not enough to produce a run for the Mammoths.

*Moravek helped keep the Jumbos scoreless in the third, striking out one batter.

*A home run from junior Haley Leimbach with Perucci on first pushed Tuft's lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth.

*Sophomore Sarah Cullen plated the final run of the contest as Perucci hit a right-field single to score the runner in the fifth, extending the margin to 8-0 and ending the game on a mercy rule decision.

BY THE NUMBERS:

*The Mammoths scored 2 hits over 5 innings of work. Both Moravek and first-year Abby Rebhan went 1-2. On the Tufts side, Perucci and Horita each went 3-3, with the former scoring 3 runs and 1 RBI.

*Moravek and Rebhan each produced one strikeout in the circle.