DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Powered by a two-hit complete game from grad student Jill Richards in game one, the UMass Dartmouth softball team swept Rhode Island College in a home doubleheader. The Corsairs posted a 2-1 victory in game one and won game two by a score of 3-2. UMD improves to 16-7 on the season and hold a 3-1 record in the LEC, while RIC is 7-11 overall and fall to 1-3 in conference play.
Rhode Island College opened the day with a quick run to start game one, they carried their one-until the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Corsairs fired back. In the bottom of the fifth inning, while still scoreless, freshman RaeLynn Perregaux led off the inning by evening the game at 1-1 with a rocket over the left-center wall. Just two batters later, junior Hailey Lyons crushed one over the fence in right-center, giving the Corsairs their first lead of the ball game at 2-1. Lyons' solo-shot proved to be the eventual game-winner.
The two homeruns aside, the Corsairs struggled to generate offense against RIC's sophomore pitcher, Abby Kidd. Besides Perregaux and Lyons, only two other Corsairs tallied a hit in game one. The offense came from Richards and junior Dyonna Rodas. On the mound, Richards out-dueled Kidd by allowing just two hits through seven innings with seven strikeouts. Richards improves to 5-6 for the season with the win.
UMass Dartmouth carried their momentum into game two, scoring three quick runs in the first two innings. After the hot start to game two, the offense for the Corsairs slowed down, while the Anchorwomen added two runs to make it a close game in the final innings. Junior hurler Kaitlyn Shirshac held it down on the mound and continued her perfect season as UMassD prevailed, 3-2.
Rodas led UMD offensively with two hits and an RBI, as well as a run scored. Sophomore Larissa Piessens added two-RBI single in the first inning. On the mound for the Corsairs, Shirshac improves to a startling 10-0 record for the season. She pitched all seven innings, struck out eight batters and walked just one in her tenth win.
The Corsairs return to action on Tuesday, traveling to Eastern Connecticut for another Little East doubleheader against the Warriors. Game times are set for 3pm and 5pm.
