MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – In their first games of the 2022 campaign softball combined for 21 hits and 14 runs scored as they earned a split Tuesday afternoon at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 6, Westminster College 9
UMass Boston 8, SUNY Poly 0 (5 innings)
UMass Boston (1-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the opener Westminster rallied to score seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, and one more in the sixth to earn the come-from-behind victory. Prior to the fourth, the Beacons held a 6-1 lead having scoring four times in the top of the first inning.
Sydney Sanden had a huge day at the plate for the Beacons driving in two of the four runs in the first. She then knocked in two more in the third when she recorded her first career in-the-park home run. Unfortunately the momentum from Sanden's performance did not last, as Westminster hit their stride scoring seven runs on six hits.
Haley Catania was handed the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits through three innings.
The nightcap was all UMB from the first pitch as they scored all eight of their runs through the first four innings.
They got on the scoreboard in the first following an RBI triple from
Alley Diaute and an RBI single from
Brianna Melchionda.
Caley Ruggiero added the Beacons third run in the second, while in the third
Gabriella Messier plated two-runs with her first career double. The fourth inning sealed the win for UMB with Melchionda,
Haley Tilberry, and
Christina Panagiotopoulos each driving in a run.
In the circle, Melchionda was just as solid as she fanned seven batters, while only allowing three hits and one walk in four innings of work.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Monday's contest marked the first meeting between the Beacons and Westminster and SUNY Poly
- Of their 21 hits, nine were for extra bases (7 2B, 1 3B, 1HR)
- Diaute led the Beacons in the first two games of 2022 with four hits, two runs scored, one double, one triple, one RBI and seven total bases
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will face Muhlenberg College at 9:30 a.m. and Lancaster Bible College at 1:30 p.m.
