BOSTON, MA (April 25, 2024) – The Beacons softball team splits their doubleheader against the Bison of Nichols College, as the UMass Boston secured victory in a tight game one with a 4-1 win and fell in a closer game two with a final score of 1-2. The Beacons improved to 23-9 overall in this year's campaign, with a Little East Conference record of 8-4.

Game One

Senior Emily Doble started on the mound for the Beacons in game one and saw four innings of action before being relieved by graduate Jacqueline Cherry for the final two innings. Together they combined for only one run on five hits. Cherry was credited with her 10^th win in 12 appearances.

The Beacons totaled six vital hits from the dish in game one, with each base running serving as a crucial run in a tightly contested game one. Sophomore Sofie Richland and first-year Hayley Krockta each recorded a hit in three appearances from the plate, while both underclassmen came across to score two of the four pivotal runs to give the Beacons the victory in game one.

Richland would come across to score the first run for either side in the bottom of the first inning following an overthrow to first from the Bisons' second baseman that allowed senior Bri Melchionda to come across to first safely.

With the game tied at one run each in the fifth inning, junior Amauri English would drive a single to left field to bring in first-year Gracie Granger from third. Granger's run would give the Beacons a one-run lead heading into the final two innings.

In the sixth inning, sophomore Lauren Miner would send a message to deep center field that would bring in Krockta and Melchionda for the final victorious runs in game one, as the Beacons tallied their 23^rd win of the season, and their first win against the Bison in three matchups.

Game Two

Cherry started on the mound in game two and went the distance for seven innings against the Bisons, as she accumulated six strikeouts and allowed just three hits against the 26 batters she faced.

Richland and Miner contributed a combined four of the seven total hits for UMass Boston in game two. First-year Mya Perron came across to score the lone Beacons' run in game two. Richland, Miner, and Perron each recorded a stolen base but were ultimately unable to come across to score.

The Bison added two runs early in the second inning, as the Beacons faced an early deficit. In the fifth inning, Richland laid down the squeeze bunt, forcing chaos that allowed Perron to come across to spark life back into the Beacons heading into the final stretch of innings.

Perron's run would ultimately serve as the Beacons only in game two, as they split the non-conference doubleheader against Nichols College.

Following the doubleheader, the UMass Boston softball team improves to 23-9 on the season. With three more contests remaining in the regular season, the Beacons will look to protect their home field once again on Saturday, April 27 against the Rams of Framingham State at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. The final two games of the season will be conference games against the University of Southern Maine on the road on Tuesday,
April 30^th, and the season finale on Saturday, May 4 against the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State from the UMB Softball Field. The Beacons softball team and UMass Boston Athletics will recognize the contest against the Warriors on May 4 as the 2024 softball senior day. Live stats and video coverage for the remaining schedule can be found at UMass Boston - Official Athletics Website (beaconsathletics.com).