April 24, 2010

Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score

BOSTON, MA - Junior pitcher Emily Wolf (Salem, NH) tossed a complete game, while striking out seven en route to her 11th victory this season, a UMass Boston single-season record, to lead the University of Massachusetts Boston softball team over Western Connecticut State University, 7-6, in game one of a doubleheader this afternoon on the campus of UMass Boston. The Colonials were able to salvage a split, taking game two of the twinbill, 4-3. The Beacons are now 18-13 overall, 4-4 in the LEC while WestConn stands at 15-15, 3-5 LEC.

Freshman catcher Sue Killilea (Abington, MA) drove in what proved to be the game-winning run on an RBI single in the sixth inning, scoring junior centerfielder Christina Polsonetti (Revere, MA) who led off the frame with a single. Polsonetti's run made it 7-5 before the Colonials pushed a run across in the top of the seventh, but the visitors could never get the equalizer.

With two outs and a runner on second, junior catcher Meghan Mammone (Stamford, CT) ripped a double down the left field line to drive in a run and cut the Beacons' lead to 7-6. Mammone would be stranded in her tracks as Wolf was able to induce a groundout for the final out of the game.

UMass Boston jumped ahead early, plating two first inning runs on three hits. Senior designated player Maria Nasta (Andover, MA) drove in the first Beacon run on an RBI single through the left side scoring senior right fielder Amanda Ciancuilli (Billerica, MA) who led off the inning with a bunt single. Killilea, who also reached base via a single, made it 2-0 when she crossed the plate after a WestConn passed ball.

The Colonials made it 2-1 in the third inning when junior third baseman Amy Hartman (Ellington, CT) belted an RBI double to center to drive in sophomore shortstop Danielle Basciano (Holmes, NY) who led off the inning with a single.

In the top of the fourth inning, WestConn tied the game at 2-2 when Basciano tripled to drive in senior first baseman Katelyn Farrell (Stratford, CT).

The Beacons responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to give them a four-run cushion. Cianciulli and freshman second baseman Kasey O'Connell (Quincy, MA) each hit RBI singles, while Killilea ripped a two-run triple, her ninth of the season, to knock in the other runs in the inning. The three-bagger gave her 76 total bases on the season to surpass the school record set by Andrea Ciarletta (2004-07) in 2006. All four UMass Boston runs came with two outs in the frame.

In the top of the fifth, WestConn answered scoring three runs on four hits to make it a one run contest at 6-5, but it was unable to get the tying run across.

For UMass Boston, Cianciulli finished game one going 4-4 with two runs scored and an RBI while Killilea was 3-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Hartman led the way for the Colonials with a 3-4 outing at the plate to go along with a run scored.

Wolf improves to (11-6) on the season while sophomore pitcher Magen Dargon (Trumbull, CT) took the loss and falls to (5-5) on the year for Western Connecticut State.

In game two, WestConn was able to get out of a bases loaded, no out jam in the bottom of the seventh inning and escape with a 4-3 victory.

With UMass Boston trailing 4-1 entering the final frame, Cianciulli and O'Connell opened the inning up with back-to-back singles. Killilea followed suit, lacing a single down the right field line to drive home Cianciulli and cut the Colonial lead in half and make it 4-2. WestConn senior pitcher Kara Cullinane (Lindenhurst, NY) intentionally walked Nasta to load the bases but was then able to record a huge strikeout for the first out of the inning. Freshman shortstop Taryn Asta (Marshfield, MA) kept the rally alive with an RBI single to cut the lead to one at 4-3 with the bases still loaded. With slap-hitting sophomore left fielder Jaci Goodwin (Melrose, MA) up for UMass Boston, the Colonials defense positioned themselves perfectly as Goodwin slapped a ball right to Hartman at third base. The senior caught the line drive and in a heads-up play, fired to Basciano who was covering third to force the game-ending double-play.

WestConn scored two runs in the top of the seventh, the first produced by an RBI triple from Basciano. Basciano would later score the eventual game-winning run on a double steal, swiping home while Hartman stole second.

Both teams plated runs in the first inning to make it 1-1 after one. The Colonials took the early 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout by junior left fielder Luigina Facchini (Coluntown, CT) that scored Basciano. The Beacons answered with an RBI double from Killilea to drive home Cianciulli who led off the inning with a walk. The hit was the 47th of the season for Killilea to eclipse the school record set by Ciarletta in 2006 and the RBI was her 31st of the year to pass the former school standard set by Siobhan Lynch (2003-04) during the 2003 campaign.

The Colonials other run came in the third inning with the help of some small ball. Sophomore second baseman Jackie Zilnicki (Riverhead, NY) led off the inning with a single and was then sacrificed over to second by Basciano, and sacrificed over to third by sophomore center fielder Ashlie Morris (Wolcott, CT). Hartman then took care of business, hitting a single up the middle to drive home Zilnicki and give WestConn the 2-1 advantage. For the Colonials, Basciano finished game two going 2-2 with two runs scored and an RBI while Hartman was also 2-2 with an RBI. Cianciulli was perfect again, going 3-3 with two runs scored while Killilea chipped in with a 2-3 showing with two RBI.

Cullinane tossed a complete game, allowing three runs on 11 hits while striking out four to pick up the win and improve to 7-5 on the season. Sophomore pitcher Kara Willis (Burrillville, RI) pitched well in the defeat, going the distance and allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out five and now falls to 7-7 on the campaign.

Both teams will square off next against Rhode Island College on the road in Providence, RI. The Beacons head down to take on the Anchorwomen in a doubleheader tomorrow, Sunday, April 25 with game one beginning at 4:00 p.m. while the Colonials head down on Tuesday, April 27 with the first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m.