DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Backed by a pair of late game one home runs, the UMass Dartmouth softball team earned a Little East doubleheader split against Eastern Connecticut State University on Tuesday afternoon. The Corsairs won game one by an 8-4 margin, while the Warriors nabbed a 2-0 game two victory.
UMD moves to 23-9 overall and 10-4 in conference play with the series, continuing to hold the second spot in the Little East standings.Prior to today's games, both teams celebrated the NFCA Strikeout Cancer initiative in support of those dealing with cancer. The teams' came together for a photo with "I play for ..." signs in support of individuals in their lives battling, while there was also a ceremonial first pitch.
Game one saw the visiting Warriors opened a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first, but the Corsairs countered in the bottom of the second as a single off the bat of senior second baseman
Emma Talpey tied the game. Senior centerfielder
Sydney Menz then doubled to right center, bringing two runs across for the 3-1 lead.
The Corsairs added another run as senior third baseman
RaeLynn Perregaux – the NFCA Division III National Player of the Week – doubled to center to bring in Menz from second for a 4-1 advantage after two innings.
Eastern Connecticut State got on the board in the top of the third as designated player Jenna Maus belted a two-run shot over the left field wall, narrowing the gap to 4-3. Then in the top of the fifth, Maddy Bowen singled up the middle to tied the game at 4-all.
In the bottom of the fifth, a home run off the bat of senior designated player
Lena Tsonis gave the Corsairs a 6-4 advantage. The Corsairs made it an 8-4 lead as Perregaux hit home run of her own over the left field wall.
UMass Dartmouth's pitching staff performed well in the circle as starter
Brielle Kenney picked up her ninth victory of the season (9-1), allowing four runs (3 earned) on four hits over 5.0 innings pitched. She struck out three batters and walked just one. Sophomore
Edy Crawford pitched the final two innings, allowing no runs and a hit with a strikeout to pick up her second save of the season.
Perregaux went 3-for-4 with a run scored and three runs batted in, while Tsonis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Fontes was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, while Talpey was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Game two action was a pitcher's duel as Eastern Connecticut State netted a pair of runs in the top of the seventh. The Warriors capitalized on an error deep as Reagan Lalor scored on the miscue. Next up saw Leah Chatfield single up the middle, bringing in Sam Healey for the 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Corsairs worked to get on the board, but Warriors pitcher Jordan Bennett allow just a hit and forced two pop-outs with another out on a fielder's choice to close down the game.
Fontes went 2-for-3, while Crawford shouldered the loss, going 7.0 innings with two runs (0 earned) on five hits with four strikeouts.
UMass Dartmouth is back in action on Wednesday, traveling to Wheaton for a single, non-conference game against the Lyons at 4pm.
