ITHACA, N.Y. (May 15, 2025) – UMass Boston softball (32-12-1) opened NCAA Tournament play Thursday morning with a strong defensive showing against No. 9 Texas Lutheran (40-3), but ultimately fell short, 3-1, in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament hosted by Ithaca College.

The Beacons held their own against one of the nation's top-ranked programs, remaining within striking distance throughout. Graduate ace Bri Melchionda (Marshfield, Mass.) got the start in the circle, working through five innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits with three strikeouts. First-year pitcher Izzy Levasseur (Amesbury, Mass.) took over in the sixth, tossing a scoreless frame with one strikeout.

How It Happened

• After two quiet innings on both sides, the Bulldogs broke through in the bottom of the third. A throwing error on a stolen base attempt allowed Linzee Leal to score the opening run from third.

• Melchionda registered UMass Boston's first hit of the game with a leadoff single up the middle in the top of the fourth.

• In the fifth, Texas Lutheran extended their lead to 3-0 after a bunt single and a two-run homer to left center.

• UMass Boston showed signs of life in the seventh inning. Lauren Miner (Millbury, Mass.) sparked the late push with a leadoff double, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt from Amauri English (North Providence, R.I.) before coming home on a deep sacrifice fly off the bat of Mary Matthews (Wilsonville, Ore.). With the deficit trimmed to two, the Beacons brought the tying run to the plate, but Texas Lutheran closed the door with a flyout to center, sealing the 3-1 loss and sending UMass Boston into the elimination bracket.

Offensively, Melchionda, Miner, and Ella Delisle (Amesbury, Mass.) each recorded one hit for the Beacons, with Miner and Delisle logging doubles. Matthews drove in the team's lone run with her seventh-inning sac fly.

With the loss, UMass Boston moves to the elimination bracket and will face the loser of Ithaca vs. Springfield in Game Three of the Regional Tournament on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The winner of that game will play again at 4:00 p.m. against the loser of Texas Lutheran vs. the Ithaca/Springfield winner.

The Beacons' season continues for at least one more day as they look to battle back and keep their national championship hopes alive.

--FIND A WAY--