WALTHAM, Mass. – Behind a four-run effort in the fourth inning, the UMass Dartmouth softball team defeated Brandeis University, 5-3 in game one of the regular season finale doubleheader for both teams. The Judges earned a 9-3 win in game two.
The Corsairs conclude the regular season with a 26-11 overall mark, while the Judges finish at 25-13. UMD returns to action on Thursday, taking on the winner of the first round LEC Tournament game between third-seeded Southern Maine and sixth-seeded UMass Boston. The Corsairs are the second-seed in the tournament, which will be hosted by top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State.
Game one saw the Judges open a 2-0 lead after a single by Jamie Pippin brought in both runs, the second coming on a throwing error by the Corsairs.
In the fourth, UMD made a comeback as second baseman
Larissa Piessens reached first on a throwing error. With two runners on, one came across in the form of pitcher
Jill Richards. First baseman
Hailey Lyons was next up, also reaching on an error as third baseman
RaeLynn Perregaux and Piessens each came across.
Catcher
Lindsay Chubbuck stepped up to the plate, her sacrifice fly to deep right bringing home Lyons for the 4-2 lead. In the fifth, Richards once again helped her own cause, singling to the pitcher to drive in another run for a 4-2 advantage.
The Judges brought another run across in the sixth, but Richards proved outstanding in the late stages, striking out the side in the seventh to secure the victory. She went the distance of 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (1 earned) on five hits. Richards struck out 10 batters and walked just one. Designated player
Dyonna Rodas went 2-for-4, while Richards was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI.
Brandeis saw catcher Tristan Boyer go 1-for-2 with a runs scored and an RBI, while pitcher Ragini Kannan went 7.0 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits. She struck out eight and walked just one.
Game two saw the Corsairs come out firing as Piessens cracked a three-run home run over the center field wall. Despite the 3-0 advantage, the Corsairs could not hold off the Judges as they saw Haley Nash post a three-run shot of her own to center to tie the game at 3-3.
Another home run by Erin Hunt in the second inning gave the home team the 4-3 lead and consecutive hits in the third, along with a bases loaded walk led Brandeis to an 8-3 advantage. The Judges added another RBI single in the bottom of the sixth for the 9-3 final score.
Brandeis saw Alex Cohen earn the win, going 6.0 innings with three runs allowed on four hits. She walked five batters. The Corsairs saw starting hurler
Kaitlyn Shirshac go 2.0 innings, allowing four runs on four hits with a strikeout.
Ella Beaulieu came on for 0.1 innings, followed by
Rahne Turley who came on for 3.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits with two strikeouts.
