BOSTON, MA (March 10, 2024)— The UMass Boston softball team won their first two games of the day, but fall just short in extra innings (7-8) on their third and final of their opening day triple-header against the Vixens of Sweet Briar College from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Graduate Jacqueline Cherry and junior Alexis Fleischer split pitching duties on the mound for the Beacons with four innings each. Cherry started on the mound and struck out three of the 21 batters she faced, as Fleischer came in to pitch in the bottom of the fifth to strike out five of the 21 batters she faced. The Beacons scored their seven runs on 12 hits with a season-high five errors. First-year Hayley Krockta and senior Lauryn Bethea led the team in plate appearances with five apiece. Krockta put three hits into play including a homerun with two RBIs. Bethea had two hits with an RBI in her five appearances.

Both sides started off the game easing into their groove, with defenses being the name of the game early on. The Beacons secured three hits through the first four innings, as the Vixen were able to find a rally in the bottom of the third to find an early 3-0 lead. Two of their three runs in the third inning came unearned for the Vixen, as a UMass Boston error added an additional two runs to an existing 1-0 lead to take the field up 3-0.

The Beacons took one back in the top of the fifth following an RBI single from first-year infielder Gracie Granger who drove in Cherry on a base hit to right field that put a dent in the then 5-0 lead for the Vixens. The Beacons took the field in the fifth inning down four. In the top of the sixth inning, they were able to chip deeper into the deficit with Krockta's solo homer for the only run of the inning, cutting the lead to 5-2.

The Beacons finally found their offensive footing in perfect timing, as the top of the seventh arrived. Junior Amauri English added the second hit of the inning to drive in sophomore Sofie Richland. Krockta continued to provide scoring for the Beacs as she stepped up to drive in sophomore Lauryn Miner with a base knock to center field. Bethea would drive in the tying run with a drive up the middle that would score first-year Kiera Howley who pinch-ran for English. Fleischer was able to hold the Vixen scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to add extra innings for the spectators at North Myrtle Beach.

Both sides added two more runs in the first extra inning, with UMass contributing two runs on two hits led by a Perron single up the middle to drive home Fleischer. The Vixen added two runs on one hit and left two additional on base before the Beacons extinguished the fire and prepared for a ninth inning.

The Vixen would walk away victorious following an RBI single to right field that would serve as the final with the Beacons unable to find the scoreboard in the top of the ninth.

With the loss to Sweet Briar, the Beacons of UMass Boston softball continue their spring break trip with a record of 2-1 following their season opening triple header, with their next matchup from Myrtle Beach on Tuesday at 9:00 am vs Morrisville State College. Live stats and video coverage for their road trip can be found at UMass Boston's official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).