HAMPDEN, ME
UMPI Softball entered their first conference weekend playing their best ball of the year, winners of five of their last seven games. When the dust settled in what became a quick doubleheader, they were winners of seven of their last nine, riding some very timely hitting, solid defense, and dominant pitching.
Game 1, 22-0 Owls:
Gracelyn Walsh began another awesome performance in the circle by striking out the side in the top of the 1st. UMPI was held off the board in the home half however, making it scoreless through one. Another 1-2-3 inning for Walsh got UMPI in the dugout quickly, before the offense went to work.
Back-to-back hits followed by a productive groundout put two in scoring position with one out. A fortuitous bounce for UMPI after a Lyndon error scored the day's first two runs. Two more RBI hits with two outs put UMPI up 4-0 before the Hornets could retire the side.
In the next UMPI at bats, the Owls batted around and really started to do damage. They scored six runs on four hits while taking advantage of some walks to take a 10-0 grasp on the game with the run-rule in effect. Gracelyn Walsh continued to deal, finally allowing her first baserunner in the 4th inning. The Owls added two more for good measure in their half of the 4th, making it 12-0.
In the top of the 5th, Walsh finished out her no-hit bid, marking her second straight start without allowing a hit in the dominant effort.
Top Performers:
At the plate, UMPI had a lot of players that stood out. Gracelyn Walsh went 2-3 with a pair of RBI, Megan Buchholz and Abby Doughty also went 2-3 with Buchholz adding a double. Hailey Saylor, Zoe Stewart and Avery VonKadich all doubled as well.
In the circle, Gracelyn Walsh's stat line was near perfect, tossing all five innings on no hits allowed while striking out a career-high 11 Hornets.
Game 2, 9-0 Owls:
Game two had a similar result, but a much different route to get there. The first two innings went completely scoreless, as did the final inning and a half. But the Owls made it a run-rule shortened game again thanks to a nine-spot that they hung in the 3rd inning. All nine of their runs came in the frame in which they slashed five hits. Michaela Carney had a bases clearing, three RBI double while Keira Greene preceded it with a 2-RBI double. They didn't need any more run support for UMPI's starter, Madison Boynton to finish off the shutout an inning and a half later.
Top Performers:
Gracelyn Walsh had another 2-3 performance including a double and an RBI. Five other players had a hit, with Greene and Carney logging doubles. Madison Boynton was terrific in the circle, allowing a hit on the second batter she faced, but never allowing one after it. She didn't walk anybody and struck out ten batters, facing the minimum possible hitters as the one hit she allowed the Owls' still got an out at second base.
Up Next:
UMPI will host VTSU-Johnson tomorrow at 11am for another NAC doubleheader against a Vermont team. UMPI will look to make it six straight victories if they sweep again tomorrow.
