SALISBURY, Md. – Williams College put a run across the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning enroute to a 1-0 victory over UMass Dartmouth in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Regional, hosted by Salisbury University. The Ephs improve to 23-15 overall, while the Corsairs are now 30-13.
The Ephs advance to Friday's 11am game and will face the winner of Thursday's game two between top-ranked Salisbury and Framingham State. The Corsairs will face the loser of Thursday's game two at 1:30pm.
In the bottom of the fifth, senior Bailey Burger-Moore led off the Ephs frame with a single to left field. Next up was Adhya Tandon, who was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Junior Ronni Ramos reached on a fielder's choice, but the Corsairs were able to get the runner out at second to put runners on the corners. After a steal of second by Ramos, junior Tayler Wise stepped up to the play, reaching on a fielder's choice as Burger-Moore came home to score.
The Corsairs saw their best opportunity come in the top of the fourth after designated player
Dyonna Rodas singled to right center. Third baseman
RaeLynn Perregaux reached on a fielder's choice, but Rodas was cut down at second. Corsairs hurler
Jill Richards and first baseman
Hailey Lyons both walked, but the Ephs got UMassD to strikeout and end the threat.
UMass Dartmouth saw its lead-off runners reach in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to solve rookie pitcher Sadie Leonard, who went 7.0 innings with 13 strikeouts and just four walks on the day.
For the Corsairs, Richards went 6.0 innings, surrendering just two walks, while striking out two batters.
