CASTLETON, Vt. – For the second time in program history, the UMass Dartmouth softball team has won the Little East Conference Tournament title, posting an 8-3 victory over Rhode Island College in the decisive final on Sunday afternoon. The second-seeded Corsairs move to 30-11 on the season and earn the conference's automatic bid into the 2026 NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
The Corsairs – who captured their first-ever tournament title in 2023 – will find out where they are headed on Monday, May 11th at 11am. It marks the Corsairs fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament.
 
In addition to claiming their second title in program history, the Corsairs saw senior third baseman RaeLynn Perregaux named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after putting forth a consistent effort both at the plate and defensively as UMass Dartmouth posted a 5-1 record – including five straight victories in less than three days.
 
The Corsairs shouldered an opening loss to #6 UMass Boston on Friday, before defeating #4 Eastern Connecticut State (4-1) that evening. UMD went on to best #1 Vermont State University Castleton (6-0) on Saturday, then defeating UMass Boston once again (10-1 in 6inn.) right after to advance to Sunday. The opening game against Rhode Island College was a 2-1 victory, followed by the decisive win.
 
In the championship game, the Anchorwomen opened the scoring much like the first game as Joey Meyer singled through the right side, brining home Noelle Simmons who had led off with a single up the middle.
 
In the bottom of the frame, the Corsairs countered as senior third baseman RaeLynn Perregaux led off, reaching on an error. Junior left fielder Olivia Ali singled to the shortstop and with one out, rookie first baseman Bre Fontes singled through the right side. Perregaux came in to score and an errant throw by the right fielder saw Ali come around to score as well as the Corsairs grabbed a 2-1 lead.
 
Rhode Island College was quick to respond in the top of the second, finding themselves with runners on the corners and one out as Brianna Bailey led off with a single, advancing later to third as Alana DeLuties reached on an error. The visitors tied it up soon after as Sydney Duclos singled through the right side to bring in Bailey for the 2-2 margin.
 
With an out on the board, Rhode Island College regained the lead as Simmons grounded out to short, DeLuties scoring on the throw for the 3-2 lead. Sophomore Edy Crawford got the final batter to ground out to Perregaux, who made the quick throw to first to end the inning.
 
The bottom of the frame saw the Corsairs bounce right back as junior right fielder Lily Routhier reached on an error, followed by a double to left off the bat of rookie shortstop Chloe Edwards with two outs on the board. Ali then singled with both Routhier and Edwards coming around to score before the junior outfielder was cut down at second trying to advance – ending the inning with UMass Dartmouth up 4-3.
 
UMass Dartmouth continued to push into the bottom of the third as junior designated player Olivia Silva singled up the middle, advancing to second on a ground out by Fontes. Senior catcher Lena Tsonis then singled to left as the Corsairs found themselves with bases loaded after a walk to senior second baseman Emma Talpey.
 
Senior center fielder Sydney Menz singled to right field with two outs as Silva and Tsonis scored to open a 6-3 lead after three complete. The momentum continued into the bottom of the fourth as a single by Perregaux led to a hit through the left side by Ali in the next at-bat. Silva then singled up the middle, bringing home Perregaux for the four-run (7-3) lead.
 
With runners on second and third, the Corsairs brought another run in as Fontes sent a sacrifice fly into center as Ali scored, pushing it to an 8-3 margin. After a scoreless fifth, the Anchorwomen looked to battle back in the top of the sixth as a reach on a fielder's choice by Rylie Forcier loaded the bases with one out, but a liner straight to Perregaux as she stepped on third for the unassisted double play ended the frame.
 
The Corsairs carried the 8-3 lead into the top of the seventh, needing just three outs to seal the victory. Crawford came up strong, forcing three ground outs, including two straight to the MOP at third base as UMass Dartmouth secured the title.
 
At the plate, Fontes had a hit and two runs batted in, while Menz also posted a hit with two RBI. Ali was 3-for4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI, while Perregaux finished with a hit and two runs scored. Edwards went 2-for-3 with a run scored as Silva was also 2-for-3 posting a run scored and an RBI.
 
Crawford improved to 14-8 in the circle, allowing no runs on just two hits over 5.2 innings pitched in relief. Rookie starter Brielle Kenney went 1.1 innings with three runs (2 earned) allowed on four hits.