Medford/Somerville, Mass. -- For the first time in Tufts history, the women's softball team has advanced to the 2000 College World Series. The team earned a ticket to the tournament in Salem, VA by winning the NCAA New England Region Championship, also a first for Tufts, at Bridgewater State College over the weekend (May 12-14). This year marked the fourth consecutive time the Jumbos earned a spot in the NCAA postseason.

   Seeded third in the New England Region Tournament, Tufts defeated second seed Springfield College in the first round on Friday, 2-1. They then beat top seed, host and defending regional champion Bridgewater State on Saturday, 4-2, to advance to the Championship Game. The Jumbos beat Bridgewater again on Sunday, 4-1, to win the NCAA New England crown.

   Four players were named to the New England Region All-Tournament Tincluding sophomore Tiffany Trahan, sophomore Emily Ferrazza, sophomore Jodie Moreau and sophomore Jen Mackey -- who was one of four at-large players selected. Trahan’s two-run triple in the top of the fourth lifted the Jumbos over Springfield. Ferrazza’s single in the bottom of the fourth in the Championship Game against Bridgewater led to three runs that gave Tufts the lead for good. Moreau was the winning pitcher in all three games, posting a 1.33 earned run average in 21 innings. Mackey was solid overall at the plate and in the field.

    “We were down against Springfield and down in the second game against Bridgewater, but we never panicked,” head coach Kris Herman said. “We didn’t worry. We didn’t say or do anything special. We just went out and played. The hallmark of this team is that if so-and-so isn’t getting it done, some one else has to step up and do it. That’s what happened.”

   Tufts, which boasted an overall record of 25-10, will play Chapman University from California in the first game of the College World Series on Thursday. The Jumbos enter the tournament with wins in 17 of their last 18 games.