MYRTLE BEACH, SC

The UMPI Softball team finished their long spring trip with games 10 and 11 in a seven day span. The Owls fell to the City College of New Jersey, before winning a close rubber match against unexpected opponent Mount Aloysius College as the Fastpitch Dreams schedule got shifted around.

Game 1, 14-0 Lions:

Unlike other losses so far this year, it wasn't one bad inning the Owls could pinpoint in this game, as it was a drawn-out dominance by the Lions that shortened this game to a five-inning run-rule. TCNJ scored four in the 1^st, one in the 2^nd, five in the 3^rd, and four in the 5^th.

On offense, it was tough sledding for UMPI, who narrowly avoided a no-hitter. Sabrina Kauffman recorded the only Owls hit, a single to left in the 4^th inning.

Game 2, 8-7 Owls:

After a schedule change pitted the Owls against Mount Aloysius College for the third time in as many days, the teams knew each other well and were clearly, very evenly matched. MAC took a wild game one on Wednesday, 14-13, before UMPI won yesterday 5-3. This time around it'd be another barn burner.

Both teams scored a run in the 1^st inning, but UMPI's starter, Madison Boynton settled in after, blanking the Mounties in the second and third, while the Owls offense woke up out of its game one slumber, scoring in the 2^nd and 3^rd, to make it 4-1 after three full innings. MAC rallied in the top of the 4^th however, plating four runs to take a 5-4 lead. That Mountie lead was short lived, as the Owls continued to apply pressure, scoring three more runs the next half to lead it 7-5 after four full. Mount Aloysius again answered, scoring twice in the next half to tie the game at seven runs apiece. Both teams made it tossed a scoreless 6^th inning, setting the table for another dramatic ending.

After working out of a jam in the top half of the 7^th, the Owls had an opportunity to walk-off the game, and their entire spring trip. Gracelyn Walsh reached third on an error by the left-fielder, the fourth time she Walsh had been on base all day before advancing to third. Then, a fly ball and a pop-out put the potential walk-off in danger. That brought up Abby Doughty with two outs, and a chance to win it. After taking the first three pitches, one for a ball and two for a strike, she protected the plate on a 1-2 count, hitting a ground-ball to the third baseman. Doughty dug it out up the line, and beat out the throw narrowly, making it an infield hit, as Gracelyn Walsh came across for the winning run. The Owls celebrated, and finished their Myrtle Beach trip in style.

Top Performers:

UMPI's offense was stellar in this one, coming through with 10 hits, while the top of the order thrived. Gracelyn Walsh led the way with her 3-4 day, including a double, triple, and four runs batted in. Zoe Stewart had an RBI double, while the leadoff hitter, Hailey Saylor went 2-4 with a double. Abby Doughty had a two-hit game as well, including the one that mattered most in the final inning. In the Circle, it was Madison Boynton who got the ball, and went the distance, tossing seven innings, allowing seven earned, striking out seven batters and not walking a single one, making the Mounties earn everything.

Up Next:

The Owls will get some much needed rest and relaxation once they're back in the 207. The Owls will next play on Easter weekend at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts on April 3^rd, before facing Fisher College on April 4^th.