April 14, 2010
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
BOSTON, MA - The University of Massachusetts Boston softball team scored 32 runs on 24 hits en-route to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Massachusetts Maritime Academy, winning the first game, 12-2, and the nightcap, 20-0, today at the Clark Athletic Center field on the campus of UMass Boston. The Beacons won both games in five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule and win their school-record ninth straight game to improve to 15-10 on the season. UMass Boston's 20 runs in the second game is its highest output since a 23-5 victory over Framingham State College on April 25, 1996 and the margin of victory is its highest since a 20-0 shutout over Emerson College on April 18, 1996. The Buccaneers fall to 2-10 on the season.
UMass Boston took advantage of five walks and four hits in the bottom of the first inning to score nine runs and put game one out of reach early with a 9-1 advantage. Senior right fielder Amanda Cianciulli (Billerica, MA) and freshman second baseman Casey O'Connell (Quincy, MA) drew walks and stole a base to open the frame and put runners in scoring position for freshman catcher Sue Killilea (Abington, MA), who delivered a two-run double down the left field line to give the Beacons a 2-1 edge. Junior designated player Maria Nasta (Andover, MA) and freshman third baseman Marisa McKinnon (Revere, MA) each reached on a bases on balls to load the bases for freshman shortstop Taryn Asta (Marshfield, MA), who laced a single to center to knock in Killilea. Freshman left fielder Janery Gomez (Boston, MA/Madison Park) also showed her patience at the plate with a walk to force in UMass Boston's fourth run. Sophomore first baseman Lisa Polsonetti (Revere, MA) also drew a walk, following an out, to plate another run, before a Cianciulli ground out gave the Beacons a 6-1 advantage. O'Connell belted a triple to right center to bring home two more runs and Killilea followed with an RBI single through the left side to give UMass Boston a 9-1 lead.
The Beacons tacked on three more runs in the second after loading the bases on a walk by McKinnon, a hit by pitch by Asta and a single from Gomez to set up a sacrifice fly to left off the bat of junior center fielder Christina Polsonetti (Revere, MA). Lisa Polsonetti capped the scoring for UMass Boston with a two-run double to right center for a 12-1 margin. Massachusetts Maritime got a run back in the top of the fifth when freshman catcher Rachel Johnson (South Chatham, MA) reached on a throwing error and came around to score on a two-out double to right center by freshman first baseman Meghan Thibeault (Scituate, MA). The game ended when Thibeault tried to stretch the hit into a triple, but was gunned down at third base.
The Buccaneers opened the scoring in the top of the first, when Johnson, freshman pitcher Janelle Beaulieu (Buzzards Bay, MA) and Thibeault strung together three straight singles to open the contest to load the bases. Sophomore third baseman Holly McLaughlin (Belmont, MA) put the visitors on the board with a one-out ground out.
Sophomore starting pitcher Kara Willis (Burrillville, RI) improved to 7-5 for the Beacons, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk, while matching her career-best with eight strikeouts. Beaulieu was saddled with the loss after allowing 12 runs on eight hits and eight walks to go with a strikeout.
UMass Boston scored six runs in the first inning and 10 in the second frame of the second game to take a 16-0 lead. Sophomore outfielder Jaci Goodwin (Melrose, MA), Christina Polsonetti and Lisa Polsonetti keyed the six-run first with RBI singles. McKinnon knocked in three runs with a double and a single in the second inning as the Beacons sent 15 batters to the plate in the frame. Nasta contributed in the inning with a two-run single, while O'Connell and Asta each knocked in a run with a single. UMass Boston scored four more times in the third inning, keyed by a two-run double from Killilea.
Sophomore southpaw Emily Wolf (Salem, NH) allowed just three hits and no walks, while striking out five to improve to 8-5 on the year and run her consecutive scoreless innings streak to 17 for UMass Boston. Beaulieu took the loss for Massachusetts Maritime, yielding 20 runs (seven earned) on 16 hits and four walks in three innings of work, before McLaughlin tossed a hitless inning in relief.
O'Connell and Killilea each collected four hits for the Beacons with Killilea driving in five runs and O'Connell four. Nasta and Lisa Polsonetti each knocked in four runs as well with Nasta registering three hits and Polsonetti two. Beaulieu, Thibeault and senior shortstop Jess O'Meara (Stoneham, MA) all picked up a pair of hits to pace the Buccaneers, including doubles for Beaulieu and Thibeault.
UMass Boston will be in action again on Saturday, April 17 when it travels to Providence, RI for a Little East Conference doubleheader with Rhode Island College at 1:00 p.m., while Massachusetts Maritime travels to Worcester, MA to take on Becker College tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.
