Softball Splits at UMass Boston

BOSTON, Mass. – UMass Boston and visiting Bridgewater State University split a non-conference softball doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon in Boston.  Bridgewater won the opener, 3-1, while UMass earned the split with a 5-4 victory in game two.

In game one after three scoreless innings of play, the Bears struck first scoring two unearned runs in the top of the fourth inning to gain a 2-0 lead. Junior left fielder Stephanie Burns (North Attleboro, MA) led off the inning with a single and sophomore third baseman Jennifer Shaw (Brockton, MA) attempted to sacrifice her over and reached on a Beacon error to put two on with no outs. UMass Boston would nearly escape the inning unharmed but a throwing error with two outs allowed Burns and Shaw to cross the plate for the visitors.

In the bottom half of the inning, UMass Boston responded immediately to make it a one run game with an unearned run of their own. Sophomore catcher Sue Killilea (Abington, MA) led off the frame with a single and eventually plated the Beacons first run with the help of a Bridgewater miscue, making it a 2-1 contest. Follow the UMB run, senior pitcher Tracey Sanko (Windsor, CT) was able to preserve the lead, working out of a bases loaded jam.

The Bears would add an insurance tally in the sixth on a two-out RBI single up the middle by senior first baseman Penny King (Hanover, MA) for the 3-1 advantage. King drove in Shaw who reached earlier in the frame with a single to left.

Sanko (1-4) went the distance for the Bears, tossing a complete game gem. The senior allowed only one unearned run while scattering three hits to go along with five strikeouts to post her first win of the season. Junior pitcher Katie Corey (Weymouth, MA) was the tough luck loser for the Beacons, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three.

Freshman designated player Erika Vecchiet (Pequannock, NJ) belted a two-out two-RBI double in the fifth inning to propel UMass to the 5-4 triumph in game two.

Trailing 4-3, Vecchiet laced a double to the centerfield fence that allowed junior right fielder Jaci Goodwin (Melrose, MA) and senior third baseman Maria Nasta (Andover, MA) to come home and give UMass Boston the 5-4 lead. Goodwin and Nasta had both reached base with singles and came around to score the tying and go ahead runs on the clutch two-bagger by Vecchiet.

The game started off sloppy as both teams plated unearned runs in the first inning before Bridgewater State sophomore catcher Brianna Strecker (Waterford, CT) drove in the first earned run of the game to give BSU the 2-1 edge in the second.  Strecker RBI ground out plated senior third baseman Casey Hill (Randolph, MA) who had reached on a double to deep centerfield and moved to third on a wild pitch.

UMass Boston responded to take a 3-2 with two more unearned runs in the bottom of the second as junior first baseman Lisa Polsonetti (Revere, MA) and sophomore shortstop Taryn Asta (Marshfield, MA) both came around to score.

BSU would regain the lead in the third with a pair of RBI singles from King and junior first baseman Kate Youngstrom (Holden, MA) to take the 4-3 lead before Vecchiet's heroics in the fifth helped UMass Boston come-from-behind for the win.

On the mound, senior pitcher Emily Wolf (Salem, NH) earned the victory for UMass Boston, scattering nine hits while striking out three in the win. With the victory she moves into a tie for second place all-time in UMass Boston history with 18 career wins, tying her with current teammate Kara Willis (Burrilliville, RI).

Sophomore Meghan Dunn (Colchester, CT) suffered the loss for the Bears.  Dunn (4-2) allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits over six innings of work with a walk and four strikeouts.

UMass Boston (9-5) will return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, March 30 when they host Framingham State for a twinbill beginning at 3:00 p.m. while the Bears (7-9) host Babson College tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.