BOSTON, Mass. – The UMass Boston Softball team swept non-conference opponents Suffolk University in a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader, taking the first game 1-0, before a come-from-behind 5-2 victory. With the wins, the Beacons improve to 14-2 (0-0 LEC), while the Rams fall to 7-9 (0-0 CCC). The wins today give the softball team their best start to a season in program history.
Next up for UMass Boston is their Little East Conference opener, with a doubleheader at the UMass Boston Softball Field on Saturday, March 30, against Plymouth State University. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
UMass Boston 1, Suffolk 0
The Beacons jumped out to an early lead with a sacrifice bunt from freshman Ella Delisle to bring home freshman Hayley Krockta for the only run of the game.
The Rams and pitcher Cynthia Rucinski held the Beacons to three hits. The first came at the hands of senior two-way player, Bri Melchionda, who had a single to center field in the second inning. The second and third came off the bat of senior Lauryn Bethea, who had two lead-off singles in the fourth and sixth innings.
In addition to her offensive performance, senior two-way player, Bri Melchionda, started the game putting out 8 of the first 13 batters she faced with ground outs. Melchionda slashed 16 groundouts, five strikeouts, and zero runs in her complete game shutout.
UMass Boston 5, Suffolk 2
Game two started how game one finished, a pitcher's duel. Both teams would combine for six hits before anyone would cross the plate. The Rams got on the board first in the top of the fifth off an RBI double from Julia Mills. Ella Turnbull would follow up with an RBI double of her own to give Suffolk a 2-0 lead.
The Beacons would find an answer for the Rams' two runs and get a little insurance in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Mya Perron would lead off the inning with a walk. Junior Mackenzie Cahill would come in to pinch hit and advance Perron to second with a single to second. Melchionda would also come in to pinch hit and tie the game at two with a two-RBI single to center. Bethea and Krockta would bring home the third and fourth runs off a sacrifice fly to center and an RBI single to right.
Graduate pitcher Jacqueline Cherry would go 1,2,3 in the top of the sixth and then follow it up by bringing home the fifth and final run from an error by the shortstop.
Cherry posted six strikeouts, three of them looking, and two earned runs in her complete-game outing.
--BEACONS--
