MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Despite what the final scores reflected after Wednesday' matchups with UMass-Boston and University of Mount Saint Vincent, the Owls showed flashes of being able to stay with some very solid teams. It was just a couple bad innings that spelled trouble for UMPI in both of their matchups, as they'd fall 22-3 in their 9 a.m. matchup, followed by 11-1 in their 1 p.m. matinee. In between those bad innings however, is where the Owls can find a lot of optimism.

Game 1 (22-3 Beacons)

How it Happened:

It was the early innings again that doomed the Owls in this one. The undefeated Beacons put up an 11 spot in the top of the first. The Owls did plate one of their own in the home half of the first, but then the Beacons dropped 10 more in the second. The offensive influx from UMass-Boston made it 21-1 after 2. The game settled down for the last three innings, as the Owls actually outscored the Beacons 2-1, with a two-run fifth inning. Unfortunately, the early inning woes wrote the story of this one as UMass-Boston took the game by a final score of 22-3.

At the Plate:

The Owls mustered seven hits in the contest, from the top five spots in the lineup. Emma McNally went 2-3, scoring two runs both times she got on base. Zoe Stewart also went 2-3, scoring a run and driving one in on a triple in the 5^th. Gracelyn Walsh and Caileyann Cotta each singled, going 1-3, while Megan Bucholz went 1-3 but with two runs batted in.

In the Circle:

Megan Bucholz began the game for the Owls throwing one inning, allowing nine earned on eight hits while walking only two. Zoe Stewart relieved her for the rest of the contest, tossing four innings, allowing nine earned as well, on three hits, while striking out one batter.

Game 2 (11-1 Dolphins)

How it Happened:

UMPI fell being after the first inning again, as two runs scored before the Owls could record an out. However, they quickly retired the side, minimizing the damage to only two runs in the top of the 1^st. UMPI went down in order their first two at bats, but kept UMSV off the board for their next two ups, keeping it at 2-0 going into the bottom of the third. The Owls defense was sharp as they made plays while starter Gracelyn Walsh filled up the zone.

In the 3^rd inning, Abby Doughty became the Owls' first baserunner with a single to lead off the inning. The next two batters were set down, bringing up the top of the order in Emma McNally with two outs and Doughty on first. McNally waited back and hit an opposite field flare that fell in fair territory. It was well hit enough to roll into the corner, as Doughty came all the way around the bases to score. McNally slid in safely to third with an RBI triple and momentum seemed to have shifted the Owls way.

The Dolphins got the next batter out however, as UMPI stranded McNally at third base. The Owls cut the lead in half to 2-1. Unfortunately for UMPI, that momentum wouldn't last. Walsh stabbed a ball out of the air on a comebacker to retire the first batter of the next half, but then the next two batters reached. A single followed by a double brought in another run. Walsh struck out the nine hitter to get two outs, but another double made it 4-1.

Three consecutive hits after that, blew the game open for UMSV, as they led 7-1 before the Owls could get to the dugout. The Owls couldn't string anything together and then left two runners on in the 5^th. They looked very sharp defensively again for the next two innings, going six up and six down to enter the 7^th.  The flashes of brilliance couldn't keep the game from getting out of hand unfortunately, as the Dolphins added four more in the 7^th. UMPI would threaten in the last of the 7^th but couldn't score another as the final score ended up 11-1.

At the Plate:

The Owls had five hits as a team. Abby Doughty went 2-3 and scored the only run. while Emma McNally went 1-3 with the only RBI on the aforementioned triple. Avery VonKadich and Sabrina Kauffman had the other two singles for UMPI.

In the Circle:

It was a solid outing for Gracelyn Walsh as she pounded the strike zone, fanning three hitters and not walking a single one as she tossed the complete game. But it was a combination of hard contact as well as some well-placed hits that got her into some trouble. Eight of the 11 runs were earned as she allowed 16 hits throughout the seven innings of work.

Next Up:

UMPI drops to 1-6 on the year and will have another split doubleheader on Thursday March 20^th with Oswego State and Hartwick College at 9 and 11 a.m.