MELROSE, MA

UMPI took advantage of some huge innings in both games against the Fisher Falcons on Saturday, as they sweep their first doubleheader of the season, and appear to be playing their best softball going into their first conference games next weekend. The Owls have now won five of their last seven games.

Game 1, 24-0 Owls:

The Owls jumped all over the Falcons in the First two innings of game one, scoring 11 in both frames. They took advantage of some walks and an error in the 1^st inning, scoring 11 on just five hits, before turning around and doing the exact same thing in the 2^nd – 11 runs on five hits. The damage was done from there as UMPI tacked on one in each of the next two innings while holding Fisher to just one hit, and completing the shutout for a five-inning score of 24-0.

Top Performers:

Zoe Stewart went 3-3 with a pair of home runs to bring her to four home runs on the weekend. She scored four times while driving in four runs as well. Michaela Carney also had a three-hit game, going 3-4 with 3 RBI and two runs scored. Gracelyn Walsh reached the career milestone of 100 hits when she singled up the middle in the top of the 2^nd. She went 2-2 on the game with two RBI, while Hailey Saylor drove in three runs, scored three times, and added a double in the extra-base-hit column.

In the circle, Megan Buchholz was near perfect, tossing five innings, allowing just one hit and striking out nine. Buchholz gave up a single to the leadoff batter, before retiring the next 15 consecutive batters in a row.

Game 2, 17-0 Owls:

Game two was a different feel to start out. The Owls did plate three across in the 1^st inning, but were held scoreless in the 2^nd, making it a close game entering the 3^rd. Once there however, UMPI had their big inning again. The Owls scored eight times on five hits to put the run rule back in effect. They'd score two in the 4^th and four in the 5^th to get to 17 runs total, on 16 hits.

Top Performers:

After her great pitching performance in game one, Megan Buchholz got that bat going in game two. She went 4-5 with three runs batted in to lead the Owls in both hits and RBI for the game. She had a triple as well. Zoe Stewart simply could not be put out on this day, going 3-3 with four runs scored, one RBI, and a triple. Sabrina Kauffman went 2-4 with a double, while Madison Boynton went 2-5.

In the circle, Gracelyn Walsh tossed a shortened no-hitter, throwing four innings, allowing just one walk while striking out eight batters.  

Up Next:

UMPI will begin their conference schedule next weekend with four league games. They will host home games at Hampden Academy in Hampden, Maine, beginning with two on Saturday vs. VTSU-Lyndon, and two more on Sunday vs. VTSU-Johnson.