Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 MYRTLE BEACH, SC
The UMPI Softball team has had some tough battles in the early part of their season, dropping a heartbreaker yesterday to Mt. Aloysius. In game one of Thursday's doubleheader, they fell to Centenary University, before bouncing back and avenging yesterday's defeat, beating Mount Aloysius, 5-3 for their first win of 2026.
Game 1, 12-4 Cyclones:
The early inning woes continued to be the problem for UMPI as they gave up six runs in the first inning, digging themselves another hole. By the second, it was 8-0 Cyclones. UMPI was held scoreless until the 3rd, when a Michaela Carney walk followed by back to back doubles from Hailey Saylor and Zoe Stewart, put UMPI on the board. That was all the Owls would get, as they added another run in the 4th, and one in the 5th, though it'd be too little too late, as the damage was already done by Centenary in the 1st.
Top Performers:
Gracelyn Walsh went 2-3 with a double and a single, while Zoe Stewart went 1-3 with 2 RBI, as the Owls' 1-2 punch becomes evident in their three and four hole. Abby Doughty, Michaela Carney and Hailey Saylor were the other hits for UMPI.
Game 2, 5-3 Owls:
In a lower scoring affair, the Owls were able to get through the early innings unscathed, giving themselves a much better chance from the start in a rematch of yesterday's wild game against the Mounties. The lower scoring game entered the third inning at 0-0, before the Mounties drew first blood, scoring twice in the bottom of the 3rd. Sabrina Kauffman and Keira Greene led off the next inning with back to back singles and would later both come around to score, tying the game at two.
The Owls shut out the Mounties through the next two innings but also were blanked, making it 2-2 entering the 7th. Back to back base hits from the bottom of UMPI's order got things going when Carney and Boynton both singled. A few batters later, Gracelyn Walsh doubled to make it 5-2.
The Owls had a cushion entering the last inning and though they gave up one, they had the necessary insurance to coast to the win—their first of 2026.
Top Performers:
Megan Buchholz got the ball and delivered all game long for UMPI in the circle. She went 7.0 innings pitched, constantly pitching outs while the Owls' defense had her back, playing cleanly ensuring that a lower scoring game could tip in their favor. At the plate, it was once again the big-time hitting of Gracelyn Walsh that leapt off the page, while the bottom of the order got it done, as Madison Boynton out of the nine-hole.
Up Next:
UMPI will wrap up their Myrtle Beach trip with one more doubleheader tomorrow. They'll face the College of New Jersey at 10am, followed by Principia College at noon.
