MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Behind a strong offensive effort and another outstanding pitching effort, the UMass Dartmouth softball team defeated UMass Boston, 10-1 in six innings to advance to the Championship round of the 2026 Little East Conference Tournament at the Middlebury College Baseball & Softball Complex.
 
The second-seeded Corsairs move to 28-11 on the season and advance will face fifth-seeded Rhode Island College on Sunday beginning at 11am at Spartan Field in Castleton, Vt. UMass Dartmouth must win two games to secure the Championship title, while the Anchorwomen – who advanced earlier on Saturday after a narrow 4-3 win over UMass Boston – need one win to claim the championship title.                  
 
The Beacons struck in the top of the first as triple by Lauren Miner through the right side, coupled with a double to right from Hayley Krockta saw UMass Boston open a 1-0 advantage.
 
In the bottom of the frame, the Corsairs worked to counter as – with one out – junior left fielder Olivia Ali singled through the right side, which was quickly followed by a walk to designated player Olivia Silva for runners on first and second. Rookie first baseman Bre Fontes laid down a single to the shortstop as all the runners were safe to load the bases.
 
Senior catcher Lena Tsonis reached on a fielder's choice as Ali came home, followed by a single up the middle by senior second baseman Emma Talpey to push another run across for a 2-1 advantage with two outs on the board. The next at-bat saw the Beacons finally end the frame as senior center fielder Sydney Menz sent a long ball into center that was caught by Sofie Richland.
UMass Dartmouth added to their advantage in the bottom of the second as a single up the middle by senior third baseman RaeLynn Perregaux with two outs was quickly followed by a single up the middle from Ali. The Corsairs got two more runs as Silva doubled down the left field line, making it a 4-1 game for UMD.
 
In the bottom of the third as the rain continued to fall, the Corsairs pushed across another run as junior right fielder Lily Routhier singled to short, bringing home Menz for the 5-1 margin after three.
 
Bottom of the fifth action saw the Corsairs threaten once again as Talpey reached on an error, advancing to third after a double to deep left by Menz with one out. Routhier then singled to second to drive in Talpey for a 6-1 lead. Rookie shortstop Chloe Edwards was next up, bunting to the pitcher as Menz came in to score forcing the Beacons to make a pitching change. UMB brought on Lexus McIntosh as she struck out two straight batters to shut down the rally for the Corsairs.
 
The Corsairs' offense continued to roll into the bottom of the sixth as consecutive singles saw the home team with a bases loaded situation with just one out on the board. The Beacons were able to get the second out, cutting down the runner at home as Menz reached on a fielder's choice, but Routhier answered with a deep drive to right center that cleared the bases and invoked the 8-run mercy rule for the victory.
 
At the plate, Routhier continued her outstanding play, going 3-for-4 with five runs batted in, while Silva went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Ali was 2-for-4 with two runs scored with Talpey posting a 2-for-4 effort with two runs scored and an RBI. Menz also had a solid day with a hit and three runs scored.
 
In the circle, sophomore Edy Crawford earned the win once more, coming on in relief for 3.0 innings as she allowed no runs on just one hit with two strikeouts. Rookie Brielle Kenney started the game, going 3.0 innings with one run allowed on four hits. She also struck out two batters.