BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Looking to bounce back after dropping their final game during their trip to South Carolina, the bats went right back to work for UMass Boston Softball who swept Bridgewater State University in a Thursday afternoon doubleheader, 8-1 in just five innings and then 7-1 in game two of the afternoon to move to 9-2 on the young season.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 9, Bridgewater State University 1 (5 Innings)
UMass Boston 7, Bridgewater State University 1
UMass Boston (9-2)
Bridgewater State University (2-12)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1: UMass Boston 9, Bridgewater State University 1 (5 Innings)
Freshman outfielder
Sofie Richland reached on an error to begin the game which helped aid in giving freshman infielder
Lauren Miner the opportunity to knock in two runs with her RBI single to kick off the scoring for the Beacons.
Another error along with two wild pitches helped UMass Boston plate three more runs in the second frame with an RBI single from senior outfielder
Sydney Sanden, a sacrifice fly by junior utility player
Bri Melchionda, and senior infielder
Haley Tilberry's steal of home plate to make it 5-0.
Senior infielder Olivia Silva scored the lone run of the game for Bridgewater State with an RBI single in the third before UMass Boston answered back with four runs in the fourth. Singles by Sanden and Miner along with doubles from Melchionda and sophomore utility player made it 9-1 in favor of the Beacons who by way of the eight-run mercy rule defeated the Bears in five innings.
Junior pitcher
Emily Doble earned her third win of the season, going all five innings while allowing one run on six hits while striking out five and walking one.
Game 2: UMass Boston 7, Bridgewater State University 1
Falling behind 1-0 after two innings, the Beacon bats went to work the rest of the way, using seven unanswered runs between the fourth and fifth innings to secure the doubleheader sweep. It would be four familiar faces plating all the runs for UMass Boston as
Sofie Richland tied the game up after she stole home with two on and nobody out.
Sydney Sanden would then score
Haley Tilberry with an RBI single followed up by a two-RBI double from
Lauren Miner that extended the Beacon lead to three runs, 4-1.
Bri Melchionda would give UMass Boston a six-run edge in the fifth inning as her three-run home run made it a 7-1 ballgame. Melchionda would dominate in the circle in game two as well for the Beacons, going the distance while allowing just one run on five hits while striking out 14 and walking three.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Bri Melchionda and Lauren Miner paced the offense in the doubleheader, driving in five runs apiece and both going 3-for-5 at the plate
- In the circle, Emily Doble and Bri Melchionda combined to give up just two runs on 11 hits while striking out 19 and walking only four batters
- Haley Tilberry stole a team-high three bases in the doubleheader, swiping second, third, and home during the day
- UMass Boston still matches the 2017 team for the best start in program history with a 9-2 record, that team started 12-2 before suffering their next loss
WHO'S NEXT
UMass Boston gets right back on the field tomorrow afternoon for their 2023 home opener as they take on Emmanuel College in a doubleheader slated to begin at 3:00 PM. The two teams met last season with the Saints sweeping the Beacons in both games by final scores of 11-1 and 4-3.
