WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A strong third inning effort helped pace Heidelberg University to a 4-0 victory over UMass Dartmouth in the 2023 opener for both teams during Spring Break action in Winter Haven, Florida.
After scoreless innings to open the game, Heidelberg struck first as junior infielder Ryann Ramacciat drew a walk in the lead-off spot. Senior utility Meghan Bame stepped up to the plate, cracking a two-run homer down the left field line off UMD hurler
Jill Richards to grab the 2-0 advantage.
The Corsairs worked to get back into it in the bottom of the frame as graduate student and shortstop
Leah Major reached on a fielder's choice with two outs, but was later caught stealing second to end the threat.
In the fourth inning, sophomore utility Aubrey Conklin led off with a walk, being replaced by sophomore Morgan Woycitzky in the pinch running spot. After advancing to second on a ground out, Woycitzky later scored as sophomore infielder Gabbie Stallbaum reached on a fielding error to make it 3-0. The Corsairs ended the threat as Richards got Ramacciat to strike out swinging.
A scoreless fifth inning led to another run for the visitors in the top of the sixth as Stallbaum singled to left center to advance Conklin to second. Patience at the plate saw Heidelberg with the bases loaded and two outs as senior pitcher Jessica Voitko walked to score sophomore Isabella Fuentes for the 4-0 margin.
UMass Dartmouth worked to counter in the bottom of the frame as junior catcher
Dyonna Rodas singled to short, followed by a steal of second base as sophomore
Ella Beaulieu quickly reached first on a fielding error to advance Rodas to third. Rookie infielder
Emma Talpey came in to pinch run for Beaulieu, stealing second as graduate student and catcher
Lindsay Chubbuck went on to walk and load the bases for the Corsairs. Despite the momentum, the home team fell short as junior infielder
Hailey Lyons flied to left center to end the inning.
Seventh inning action saw the Corsairs shut down Heidelberg, keeping them off the scoreboard despite an early inning hit. Facing the final three outs, UMD worked to get back into the contest, but senior pitcher Caitlin Dems held strong for the Berg, making it a 1-2-3 inning to close out the victory.
Heidelberg saw junior shortstop Emma Dean record four assists with two putouts, while Bame was the offensive spark with two runs batted in, a hit and a run scored on the day. Dems earned the victory for the Berg, going 7.0 innings with two hits allowed and no runs scored. She walked two while striking out three.
For the Corsairs, Lyons posted 10 putouts, while Major and sophomore
Larissa Piessens each had three assists. In the circle, Richards threw 5.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on two hits. She struck out five batters before giving way to Beaulieu, who pitched a third of an inning with a strikeout. Junior
Kaitlyn Shirshac came on for the final inning of relief, allowing one hit.
The Corsairs are right back in action at 11:30am, taking on Allegheny College.
