BOSTON, MA (March 27, 2025) — The UMass Boston softball team improved to 14-0 with a doubleheader sweep over the Rivier College Raiders (5-9) on Thursday evening at the UMB Softball Field. The Beacons claimed two thrilling victories on their home turf, with standout performances from pitchers Izzy Levasseur (Amesbury, Mass.) and Jacqueline Cherry (Franklin, Mass.). Levasseur earned the win in game one, her third of the season, while Cherry pitched all five innings in game two, continuing her dominance as the reigning Little East Conference Pitcher of the Week.

In addition, junior Sofie Richland (South Burlington, Vt.) reached a career milestone in game one, recording her 100th career hit and joining an elite group of players in the Beacons' softball history.

With their 14th consecutive win to begin the season, UMass Boston has now set the best start to a season in program history, surpassing any previous season dating back to 1981.

Game One:

 

Alexis Fleischer (San Diego, Calif.) started on the mound in game one, pitching 3.1 innings against 17 batters. She struck out a team-high five batters and allowed just four hits. Levasseur then entered the game to close the final 3.2 innings, facing 19 batters and striking out four.

• The Beacons struck first in the bottom of the third inning, scoring four runs on three hits and one Raiders error. Lauren Miner (Millbury, Mass.) tripled to score Richland for the game's first run. Amauri English (North Providence, R.I.) singled to drive in Miner, and Melchionda added a two-run RBI single, scoring English and Hayley Krockta (Taunton, Mass.) to make it 4-0.

• The Raiders rallied in the fourth inning, scoring six runs on as many hits to take a 6-4 lead.

• The Beacons responded in the bottom of the fifth with a key run from Hayley Tilberry (Moosic, Penn.), who flew out to right field, allowing Ella Delisle (Amesbury, Mass.) to tag up and score, cutting the deficit to 6-5.

• UMass Boston regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring five runs on five hits. Matthews (Wilsonville, Ore.) led off the inning with a single, and scored on Delisle's double. Delisle later came across on Miner's sac-fly, and Natalia Fotopoulos (Arlington, Mass.) walked as a pinch hitter for Gracie Granger (Paxton, Mass.), later scoring on a double from English. Krockta's two-run RBI double added the final two runs, putting the Beacons ahead 10-6.

• Levasseur shut down the Raiders' comeback attempt with a swinging strikeout to end the game and secure the 10-6 win for UMass Boston.

By the Numbers:

• Eight Beacons recorded hits in the game, with English, Melchionda, and Delisle each collecting two hits. English went 4-4 with a run and four RBIs, while Melchionda had two hits and one of the Beacons' nine total RBIs. Delisle drove in one run and scored two.

• Miner and Krockta each had two RBIs, with the duo combining for six of the team's total RBIs.

• Four Beacons had extra-base hits, with Delisle recording two doubles, and Miner adding a triple. English and Krockta each had a double.

• Richland and Matthews each stole a base in the victory.

Game Two:

Cherry took the mound in game two, pitching all five innings against the Raiders. She struck out three, allowed just five hits, and guided the Beacons through 28 batters faced to complete the win, her fifth of the year.

• UMass Boston scored one run in each of their four innings at the plate: two in the first, three in the second, five in the third, and one in the fourth.

• In the first inning, Tilberry led off with a triple and later scored on Miner's RBI single. Krockta's single brought in Miner for a 2-0 lead.

• In the second inning, Melchionda singled to start the frame and scored on Granger's single. Delisle scored on a wild pitch, and Granger crossed the plate on a ground out from Tilberry, putting the Beacons up 5-0.

• The Beacons added five more runs in the third, including an RBI double from Amaya Rodriguez (Indio, Calif.) to begin the inning. Fotopoulos (Arlington, Mass.) brought in Rodriguez with a groundout to short, making it 14-0.

• Cherry closed out the game with her third shutout victory of the season, securing the sweep and keeping the Beacons undefeated.

By the Numbers:

• Ten Beacons recorded at least one hit, with Miner leading the offense with a perfect 3-3 performance, including a team-high three RBIs and a run scored.

• Melchionda went 2-2 at the plate with two runs scored.

• Tilberry finished 1-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

• For the fourth time this season, no Beacon struck out at the plate, showcasing their offensive discipline.

• In game two, UMass Boston scored 11 runs on 13 hits, securing their 14th consecutive victory.

Richland's Remarks:
Following game two, Richland reflected on reaching her career milestone, saying, "It's actually funny—I was recruited as a righty power hitter, but turned into a lefty slapper. Its pretty huge because I never expected to hit from that side, so to finally reach 100 hits, its absolutely insane. It feels awesome." When asked about the rest of the season, she added, "I'm aiming to hit the 200 mark before I graduate. I'm definitely focused on setting more records, especially stolen bases. I don't want anyone catching me this year—or in the future. All great things to come for the rest of the season."

Coach's Corner
Head Coach Natalia Ardagna added additional context, saying, "We couldn't be happier for Sofie. This has been inevitable since her arrival, and she has done nothing but exceed our expectations. We are extremely fortunate and lucky to have someone like her, both on and off the field."

Who's Next: UMass Boston will face their first Little East Conference challenge on Saturday in a doubleheader against the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the UMB Softball Field. Stay tuned for potential schedule changes due to inclement weather. Follow for live coverage and updates.

--FOR THE TIMES--