WILLIMANTIC, CT (May 2, 2025) – The UMass Boston softball team (27-10-1, 8-7-1 Little East Conference) wrapped up its regular season with a pair of close battles against Eastern Connecticut State (20-16, 13-3 LEC), falling just short in both games despite a strong overall showing. The Beacons out-hit ECSU 5-4 in game one, and a walk-off triple in game two handed the Warriors the narrow sweep on Friday evening in Willimantic.

Game One: UMB 2 – 3 ECSU
Bri Melchionda (Marshfield, Mass.) went the distance in game one, throwing six complete innings while facing 29 batters. She tallied five strikeouts and allowed just four hits and two earned runs.

The Beacons opened with a two-run first inning. With the bases loaded, Mary Matthews (Wilsonville, Ore.) delivered a clutch two-RBI single to score Melchionda and Hayley Krockta (Taunton, Mass.).

Eastern Connecticut responded with a run in the fourth, capitalizing on a Beacon error. A three-hit fifth inning pushed across two more runs for the Warriors, giving them a one-run edge that held to the end.

Matthews led the UMass Boston offense with two hits in three trips, including a double and both RBIs. Melchionda, Krockta, and Lauren Miner (Millbury, Mass.) each added a hit, with Matthews also stealing a base.

Game Two: UMB 5 – 6 ECSU
Jacqueline Cherry (Franklin, Mass.) started game two and pitched 5.2 innings against 33 batters, striking out two. She was relieved by Alexis Fleischer (San Diego, Calif.), who closed the final frame, allowing just one run on two hits.

The Beacons struck for solo runs in the first, fourth, and fifth innings before rallying for two more in the sixth.

Melchionda opened the scoring with a groundout RBI in the first, bringing home Haley Tilberry (Moosic, Penn.). In the fourth, Amauri English (North Providence, R.I.) lofted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Natalia Fotopoulos (Arlington, Mass.) to retake the lead. Matthews continued her strong day with an RBI double in the fifth, plating Tilberry to make it 3-1.

UMass Boston's sixth-inning surge featured an RBI single by Miner and a bases-loaded walk drawn by Gracie Granger (Paxton, Mass.), pushing the lead to 5-3. However, a two-run single from the Warriors tied the game in the sixth inning, and a walk-off triple in the bottom of the seventh sealed the comeback win for ECSU.

By the Numbers:

• UMass Boston hit 7-for-24 (.291) at the plate in game two, with Miner leading the way with a 2-for-3 performance, a run scored, and an RBI.

• Tilberry, Matthews, Melchionda, Krockta, and Ella Delisle (Amesbury, Mass.) each recorded doubles.

• Miner swiped the Beacons' only stolen base of the game.

What's Next:
With Friday's results, Eastern Connecticut clinched the 2025 LEC Regular Season Title. UMass Boston now sets its sights on the LEC Championship Tournament, returning to Willimantic as the No. 3 seed. The tournament begins May 7, where the Beacons will look to make a deep postseason run in pursuit of the program's third LEC title. Stay tuned for updates and coverage as tournament play begins.

—FOR THE TIMES—