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Box Score 2 DARTMOUTH, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth junior Shannon Orton (Swansea, Mass.) launched a dramatic walk-off home run over the centerfield fence to lift the Corsairs to a 2-1 victory against Keene State College in the opener of a Little East Conference softball doubleheader this afternoon at the UMass Dartmouth Softball Field. The Owls were able to work out of an one-out, bases loaded jam to edge the Corsairs 3-2 in the nightcap.
UMass Dartmouth 2, Keene State College 1
Freshman Hannah Smith (Attleboro, Mass.) spun a complete-game gem to earn her first collegiate victory, scattering five hits and a run. The rookie right-hander struck out a season-high seven hitters without yielding a walk on 106 total pitches.
Keene State College jumped out to an early lead in the top the second, when sophomore Jen Galavotti (Marion, Mass.) ripped a solo home run over the centerfield fence.
The Corsairs were finally able to solve Owl starter sophomore Ashlee McGan (Southampton, Mass.) in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Emily Colton (Kingston, Mass.) drew a lead-off walk and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Marissa Spinuzzi (Fair Lawn, N.J.) found the right centerfield gap for a run-producing double to even the ballgame at 1. Orton followed with a single to left field, pushing the potential go-ahead run to third. However, McGan was able to escape the jam without any further damage by retiring the next two batters.
Keene State threatened to score in the final two innings. Smith was able to spoil a lead-off double down the left field line in the sixth, sandwiching a pair of infield pop flies between a strikeout. The Owls nearly capitalized on a Corsair defensive miscue in the next frame. Galavotti reached on a dropped fly ball and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two outs, freshman Shae Crosby (Salem, Conn.) singled to right field, but junior Rachel Carey (Holbrook, Mass.) cut down the runner at home plate with a strong throw from just outside the infield dirt.
UMass Dartmouth took advantage of the momentum that was created from the outfield assist into its final at-bat. Leading off the seventh, Orton turned on the 1-1 pitch and deposited her first home run over the centerfield fence to send the home crowd fans into a frenzy.
McGan was the hard-luck losser, allowing two runs on just three hits in six-plus innings of work.
Keene State College 3, UMass Dartmouth 2
UMass Dartmouth nearly registered its comeback victory of the afternoon, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut into a 3-0 deficit. The Corsairs faced one batter past the minimum in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for a drama-filled final at-bat.
UMass Dartmouth sandwiched a pair of walks between a fly out to place the tying run in scoring position. The hosts loaded the bases on a muffed throw, but senior Katie Newell (Shoreham, N.Y.) fielded a ground ball and cut the lead runner down at the plate. Orton stepped to the plate in search of her second walk-off hit, but sent a deep fly ball to the edge of the warning track that was caught by the centerfielder.
The Corsairs were finally able to muster some offensive output against Newell in the sixth inning. Spinuzzi drew a one-out walk and Orton advanced on a fielder's choice to the third basemen. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and freshman Dylan Parsons (Methurn, Mass.) delivered an RBI groundout to the right side of the infield. Sophomore Abby Tremblay (New Bedford, Mass.) drove in the second run with a single to right field.
Keene State College scored all of its runs in the top of the fourth, one just one hit. Newell helped out her own cause with a two-run single up the middle. Junior Morgan Fallon (Reading, Mass.) scored the eventual game-winning run on a passed ball.
In her first start of the season, Newell went the distance to raise her record to 1-0, allowing two runs on three hits. The right-hander recorded four strikeouts, but issued seven base-on-balls during her 128 total pitches.
Orton stymied the Owls' offensive attack, limiting the defending conference tournament champions to one earned run on three hits. She fanned eight batters, and yielded three walks.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, when the Corsairs travel to Little East Conference rival Eastern Connecticut State University for a doubleheader.
