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UMass Boston

SB
Becky Schoenecker
6
Winner Mass.-Boston MASS.-BO 29-10-1
1
Eastern Conn. St. EASTERN 20-17
Winner
Mass.-Boston MASS.-BO
29-10-1
6
Final
1
Eastern Conn. St. EASTERN
20-17
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Mass.-Boston MASS.-BO 0 0 0 2 0 1 3 6 9 1
Eastern Conn. St. EASTERN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1

W: Melchionda, Bri (9-3) L: E. Mitchell (15-7)

Game Recap: Softball | | David Cataloni

Beacons Top Eastern Connecticut, Advance to LEC Semifinals Undefeated

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (May 8, 2025) – Behind a dominant complete-game performance from Bri Melchionda (Marshfield, Mass.) and a three-hit outing from Hayley Krockta (Taunton, Mass.), the UMass Boston softball team (29-10-1) secured its second straight win in the 2025 Little East Conference Tournament, defeating the hosts and regular-season champion Eastern Connecticut State (20-17) by a score of 5-1 on Thursday morning.

Melchionda was electric in the circle, going the distance for her ninth win of the season. The senior allowed just two hits and one earned run over seven innings, striking out nine and facing just 24 batters in a crisp, efficient outing.

How It Happened:

  • The Beacons were held scoreless through three innings, managing just one hit — a single from first-year Mary Matthews (Wilsonville, Ore.) in the second frame.

  • UMass Boston broke through in the fourth inning with two runs on two hits and an ECSU error. Lauren Miner (Millbury, Mass.) doubled to score Krockta, who singled and advanced on an error and Matthews, giving the Beacons a 2-0 lead.

  • The Warriors cut the deficit in half with a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth.

  • In the sixth, Krockta responded with a solo shot of her own — her team-leading second home run of the year — pushing the lead to 3-1.

  • The Beacons added insurance in the seventh. Ella Delisle (Amesbury, Mass.) doubled and later scored on a two-RBI double from Melchionda. Krockta capped the inning with an RBI single to score pinch runner Cosette Zito (Woodbridge, Conn.), making it 5-1.

  • UMass Boston shut down the Warriors in the bottom of the seventh to lock up the win and move to 2-0 in tournament play.

By the Numbers:

  • Six Beacons recorded hits, with Krockta going 3-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs scored, and a home run. Matthews followed with a 2-for-4 day and one run scored.

  • The Beacons totaled five extra-base hits: doubles from Melchionda, Miner, and Delisle; a triple from Sofie Richland (South Burlington, Vt.); and Krockta's homer.

  • Matthews and Haley Tilberry (Moosic, Pa.) each added a stolen a base.

What's Next:
UMass Boston returns to the field Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. to face the winner of game five between #2 seed Southern Maine and #3 seed Plymouth State. The Beacons sit two wins away from their first LEC Championship since 2018.

—FOR THE TIMES—

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