CLERMONT, FL - The Bethany College softball team improved to a perfect 3-0 after defeating University of Massachusetts Boston, 5-3, this morning in Clermont, FL. Freshman relief pitcher Emily Jump (Milford, DE) picked up the win in relief while providing the Bison with the tying and winning runs batted in. The loss drops the Beacons record to 0-2 on the year.
Jump led off the bottom of the sixth inning by belting a solo homerun to give Bethany a 4-3 advantage, a lead which it would not give up. The Bison added an insurance run later in the frame on an RBI infield single by junior second baseman Chelsea Butler (Cortland, OH) to increase their lead to 5-3.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Beacons looked poised to take the lead after freshman catcher Sue Killilea (Abington, MA) led off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a Bison miscue. Two batters later, freshman third baseman Marisa McKinnon (Revere, MA) belted a one out single up the middle but Killilea was called out on her attempt to score by the home plate umpire, ending the Beacons' scoring threat.
UMass Boston got on the board early when Killilea crushed a two-out home run over the centerfield fence in the top of the first inning to make it a 1-0 ballgame.
The Bison answer quickly plating two runs in the bottom of the first without a hit as the Beacons allowed two unearned runs in the opening frame for the second straight game making it a 2-1 contest.
In the top of the fourth, sophomore first baseman Lisa Polsonetti (Revere, MA) put the Beacons on top 3-2 with a two-RBI triple, scoring senior second baseman Maria Nasta (Andover, MA) who reached on a double and McKinnon who reached on a single.
With back-to-back doubles to lead off the fourth, Bethany tied the game when Jump drove in junior third baseman Andrea Thomas (Toronto, OH) to make it a 3-3 game.
Jump hurled the final three and a third innings, allowing no runs on only two hits while striking out five. For UMass Boston, sophomore pitcher Kara Willis (Burrillville, RI) picked up the loss allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits over six innings of work.
