BOSTON, MA (April 9, 2025) – UMass Boston softball (18-1-1, 1-0-1 Little East Conference) earned its first LEC victory of the season with a 5-2 game-one win over the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen (12-9-1, 1-2-1 LEC), before daylight ran out in extra innings in game two, ending in a 5-5 draw — the program's first tie since 2021.

Game One: UMB 5 – 2 RIC
WP: Jacqueline Cherry (Franklin, Mass.): 7.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO, 30 AB, 33 BF — 8-0 W-L
LP: Abby Kidd: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO, 26 AB, 30 BF — 6-4 W-L

How It Happened:

• The first four innings were a defensive duel, with both teams combining for six hits but no runs.

• UMass Boston broke through in the fifth. Lauren Miner (Millbury, Mass.) lined an RBI single up the middle, scoring Sofie Richland (South Burlington, Vt.) from second. Haley Tilberry (Moosic, Penn.) crossed the plate on a throwing error by RIC's third baseman, and Bri Melchionda (Marshfield, Mass.) capped the inning with a two-RBI single, driving in English and Miner.

• In the sixth, Ella Delisle (Amesbury, Mass.) led off with a double to left. Cosette Zito (Woodbridge, Conn.) pinch ran and scored on Richland's RBI single, giving the Beacons a 5-0 lead.

• RIC threatened in the seventh, scoring two runs on three hits, but Cherry shut the door to secure the win.

By the Numbers:

• Melchionda went a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs — her fourth flawless performance at the plate this season.

• Richland was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

• Richland, English, and Mary Matthews (Wilsonville, Ore.) each recorded a stolen base.

• UMass Boston totaled nine hits in 26 at-bats.

• Defensively, Richland and English tallied six putouts apiece from center and right field, combining for over half of the team's 21 putouts. Miner led with three assists at third base.

Game Two: UMB 5 – 5 RIC (F/8 - Called Due to Darkness)

UMB SP – Bri Melchionda: 8.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO, 33 AB, 35 BF
RIC SP – Ashleigh von der Linden: 5.2 IP, 5 R, 2 BB, 3 SO, 25 AB, 27 BF

How It Happened:

• The Anchorwomen surged to a 5-0 lead over the first four innings, scoring twice in the first, once in the second, and two more in the fourth.

• The Beacons answered in the bottom of the fourth with a rally sparked by Hayley Krockta (Taunton, Mass.), who crushed a bases-clearing double to right-center, scoring English, Melchionda, and Miner to make it 5-3.

• Melchionda held RIC scoreless in the fifth and sixth to keep UMass Boston within striking distance.

• In the sixth, Delisle singled up the middle, scoring one. Then Matthews delivered the game-tying RBI single to center, plating Delisle and knotting things at 5-5.

• After a scoreless seventh, the game moved to extras. UMB's defense shut down three of four RIC batters in the eighth. Krockta led off the bottom half with a single, but before the Beacons could complete the comeback, the umpires called the game due to darkness, resulting in a tie — Coach Ardanga's first draw in four years. 

By the Numbers:

• Melchionda finished 3-for-4 with a run scored, again pacing the Beacons' offense.

• Krockta recorded the only extra-base hit of the game and led the team with three RBIs.

• Matthews was clutch, going 2-for-3 with the game-tying RBI.

• Delisle added a hit, a run, and an RBI.

• Richland swiped her 19th base in 20 tries this season, pushing her career total to 61.

• UMass Boston finished 11-for-31 at the plate with five total RBIs.

• In the field, Krockta tallied a team-high 12 putouts at first. Tilberry, Melchionda, and Gracie Granger (Paxton, Mass.) shared the lead with three assists each, combining for 9 of the team's 12.

UMass Boston continues LEC play tomorrow, April 10, in a doubleheader against UMass Dartmouth from the UMB Softball Field. Game one is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., with game two to follow at approximately 5:00 p.m. For full coverage, visit the Beacons Official Athletics Website.