Softball Caps Off Perfect Weekend With Run-Rule Win Over Columbia

Recap, photo courtesy of UMass

The Minutewomen put together 10 hits while three put together multi-hit performances.

GREENVILLE, N.C. –  The University of Massachusetts softball team racked up nine runs in the third inning on their way to a 10-2 win over Columbia in five innings to cap off an unbeaten weekend of play at the Purple and Gold Invitational on Sunday morning. The Minutewomen (8-7 Overall) scored 10 runs for the first time this season behind multi-RBI performances from Kaitlyn Stavinoha, Jackie Kelley and Alyssa Lyon.
 
UMass got on the board with a run in their first trip to the plate after Riley Gregoire started things off with her first of two hits before a Stavinoha single put runners at the corners. Gregoire went on to cross the plate on a Stavinoha steal and a ball that got away from the Columbia defense.
 
A nine-run top of the third inning saw the Minutewomen load the bases by way of a Melissa Garcia and a pair of walks from Hannah Bunker and Kaycee Carbone. Danielle Ellis drove a RBI single to left field to score a pinch-running Kristina Day from third to start the scoring.
 
Kelley drove in a pair on a RBI single, finding some space down the left field line to put the Minutewomen ahead 4-0 with just one out on the board. Lyon immediately followed with another multiple RBI base hit for UMass, driving a double to the gap in right center field to give UMass a 6-0 advantage. Gregoire went on to add the sixth run of the frame with her second hit of the morning.
 
Stavinoha's .500 weekend at the plate continued with her second base hit, a two-RBI triple to extend the lead to nine before Garcia found some space in left field for a RBI single that brought in the 10th and final run for the Minutewomen.
 
Quinn Breidenbach recorded her third win of the season and second of the weekend on her way to finishing the morning by tossing four innings while surrendering a run in both the third and fourth innings. The junior finished the weekend with a 1.50 ERA in 14 innings of work. Kenadee Rausch closed things out in the fifth inning to preserve the eight-run lead, retiring three straight Columbia hitters.
 
The Minutewomen will be back in action next weekend in Tampa, Fla. as they take on Wisconsin and USF in a Friday doubleheader.

BOX SCORE
 
For complete coverage of the UMass softball team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassSoftball and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.