Milton, MA (March 19, 2024) – The Beacons' softball team carried their dominance from North Myrtle Beach back home to New England, as their first game in their home territory resulted in a 9-3 victory over the Colonels of Curry College from Milton, Massachusetts on Tuesday afternoon for game one of their double header.

Graduate pitcher Bri Melchionda improved her season record on the mound to an undefeated 4-0 following her four-inning stint on the mound to start the game for the Beacons. She pitched four innings, faced nine batters, stuck out two, and only allowed one run on two hits on 64 pitches. Senior pitcher Emily Doble came in to relieve Melchionda and pitched three innings, faced 12 batters, and held the Colonels to just two runs on four hits.

Melchionda went 100% at the plate today, recording two hits in two appearances, to go with three RBIs and scoring one run herself. One of her two hits included a triple in the third inning. Graduate infielder Haley Tilberry also recorded two hits in three plate appearances including a walk, as she came around to score twice in the game.

The first runs of the game for the Beacons came in the top of the third inning, off Melchionda's triple down the left field line with the bases loaded to score first-year Mya Perron, senior Lauryn Bethea, and Tilberry to jump out in front with the lead. Melchionda would score following an error by the Colonels' left fielder off of first-year Ella Delisle's drive to left field to score the run unearned. The Colonels would get one back at the turn of the inning following a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Beacons earned a fifth run in the top of the fourth inning after Bethea reached first on an error as Tilberry came around to score unearned.
In the fifth inning, Delisle singled up the middle to further the lead to 6-1 as first-year Cosette Zito came around to score. The Beacs pushed the needle further in the fifth inning as sophomore Amauri English recorded a triple to right field to score Delisle. UMass Boston headed into the final two innings with a 7-1 lead.

First-year Hayley Krockta continued to apply the pressure in the top of the sixth inning, as she recorded a drive to center field that would score first-year Keira Howley, but got greedy and was thrown out at second trying to advance. Sophomore Lauren Miner rounded off the game one victory with a solo blast to left field for her first home run of the season.
The Colonels made a final push in the seventh inning recording two final runs, but it was too little too late to contest with the Beacons' best, as UMass Boston softball took game one with a commanding 9-3 victory from Milton, MA.

The Beacons are slated for one more against the Colonels on Tuesday at 5:00 pm following the conclusion of their first matchup. After the Colonels, the Beacons expect to face Bridgewater State University from their home field in Boston, Massachusetts. For live stats and video coverage, visit UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).