BOSTON, MA (April 17, 2025) – The UMass Boston softball team (24-3-1, 5-2-1 Little East Conference) came out on top in both games of a tightly contested doubleheader against Endicott College on Thursday afternoon at UMB Softball Field. A sixth-inning rally lifted the Beacons to a 4–2 comeback win in game one, followed by a 4–0 shutout behind dominant pitching in game two.

With the sweep, Head Coach Natalia Ardagna earned her 300th career win, becoming the first coach in program history to reach 100, 200, and now 300 victories.
 

Game One: UMass Boston 4 – Endicott College 2

Alexis Fleischer (San Diego, Calif.) got the start, tossing 5.1 innings and allowing four hits and two runs (one earned). After falling behind 2–0 in the top of the sixth and facing a bases-loaded threat, Bri Melchionda (Marshfield, Mass.) entered in relief and pitched out of the jam to keep the deficit at two.

The Beacons answered with an explosive bottom half of the sixth inning. Lauren Miner (Millbury, Mass.) and Melchionda each ripped RBI doubles to tie the game 2–2. Amauri English (North Providence, R.I.) gave UMass Boston its first lead with an RBI single, and Avery Weinstein (Winnetka, Ill.) added the game-winning RBI with a single to left.

Melchionda shut the door in the seventh, completing a scoreless outing and picking up her sixth win of the season.

By the Numbers:

• Weinstein and Ella Delisle (Amesbury, Mass.) each recorded two hits, leading the Beacons offensively.

• Miner, Melchionda, and English each added a hit and an RBI.

• Melchionda pitched 1.2 shutout innings with two strikeouts to earn the win.

Game Two: UMass Boston 4 – Endicott College 0

Jacqueline Cherry (Franklin, Mass.) continued her sensational season with a complete-game shutout, improving to 11–0. She allowed just four hits while striking out four.

After four scoreless innings, UMass Boston broke through in the fourth. With the bases loaded and no outs, English lifted a sacrifice fly to center to open the scoring. Weinstein followed with a two-RBI single down the left field line. Miner sealed the win with a triple in the fifth to push the lead to 4–0.

Cherry faced just three batters over the minimum and did not allow a runner past second after the second inning.

By the Numbers:

• Cherry allowed just four hits over seven innings with four strikeouts.

• Five different Beacons recorded a hit; Miner tripled, while Weinstein led the team with two RBIs.

• Kyleigh Gray (Deerfield, N.H.) stole the only base of the game for UMass Boston.

What's Next:

The Beacons hit the road for an LEC matchup against Plymouth State University on Saturday, April 19. First pitch for game one is set for 12:00 p.m., with game two to follow at approximately 2:00 p.m.

--FOR THE TIMES--