BRISTOL, R.I. – Powered by a grand slam home run from grad student
Jill Richards, the UMass Dartmouth softball team defeated Roger Williams University, 10-0 in six innings during non-conference action on Thursday afternoon. The win moves the Corsairs to 13-6 on the season, while the Hawks are now 7-11 overall.
The Corsairs opened the game strong in the first inning as shortstop
Leah Major doubled to left center. Second baseman
Larissa Piessens followed, drilling a single to left as Major came around to score. The throw to home allowed Piessens to advance to third and an ensuing single through the left side from designated player
Lindsay Chubbuck brought the Corsairs runner across for the 2-0 lead.
UMD broke the game open in the top of the second as outfielder
Victoria Rossetti opened the frame with a walk. A sacrifice bunt from hurler
Kaitlyn Shirshac moved the runner to second and Rossetti stole third as Major then walked for runners on the corners.
Major pulled off a steal of second, allowing Rossetti to score on the throw to second and put the Corsairs up 3-0. A walk to Chubbuck saw bases loaded and right fielder
Jill Richards stepped up to the plate, cracking a grand slam home run to clear the bases for a 7-0 Corsairs lead.
UMass Dartmouth wasn't done just yet on offense, stepping up in the top of the sixth for another big frame as Major singled to third to reach, followed by a single to left from rookie
Emma Talpey. Sophomore
Emily Wilkinson was next up, belting the ball to right center to drive in Major for the 8-0 advantage.
A passed ball two plays later brought in Talpey, while a single to left from catcher
Dyonna Rodas made it a 10-0 frame. In the bottom half of the inning, Shirshac gave way to sophomore
Ella Beaulieu, who allowed a leadoff walk and a single, but got a quick double play and a ground out to short to end the inning and the game for the Corsairs.
Major went 2-for-3 in this afternoon's contest with three runs scored. Richards had the grand slam for four RBI's and also had a run scored, while Piessens was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. In the circle, Shirshac was stellar for the second straight night, allowing no runs and just four hits through 5.0 innings of work. She struck out five and did not yield a walk in the contest. Beaulieu allowed one hit and a walk in the sixth inning.
For the Hawks, starter Raegen Germano went just 1.1 innings with six runs allowed on five hits. She struck out three and walked four. Taylor Myers came on for the final 4.2 innings of relief, surrendering four runs on six hits with a strikeout.
The Corsairs are back in action on Sunday when they open Little East play at home, welcoming Castleton University for a doubleheader. Game one gets underway at 12pm.
