University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
South Florida
UMass Softball Splits With South Florida On Monday
March 17, 2008 | Softball
March 17, 2008
TAMPA, Fla. - The Massachusetts softball team took one of two against South Florida on Monday in Tampa, Fla. In game one, Junior Brandice Balschmiter gave up just three hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters for her third shutout of the season in the 2-0 win. The Bulls used a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to take game two from UMass, 2-1.
The UMass offense only grabbed five hits off USF pitcher Cristi Ecks, but jumped over her in the top of the sixth inning. After junior Whitney Mollica drew a walk, classmate Samantha Salato reached on an error on the next at-bat which brought Mollica in to score from first. Sophomore Sarah Reeves stepped up right after and delivered a RBI double to centerfield to put UMass up 2-0 and close out the win.
Balschmiter struck out four of the next six batters faced to close out the win, her seventh of the season.
In game two, the Bulls took advantage of a solo homerun in the bottom of the sixth to edge the Minutewomen 2-1. UMass was held to three hits, but swung the bat well as it connected on a lot of hard pitches that just couldn't seem to find the gaps in the field.
Sophomore pitcher Bailey Sanders, who recorded a no-hitter on Sunday, struck out four while giving up six hits including the eventual game-winning blast.
UMass scored its only run in the top of the fifth after Mollica drew a walk with bases loaded to score sophomore Carly Normandin from third. Salato had bases loaded with two outs on the next at-bat but grounded out the shortstop to end the inning and the threat.
The Minutewomen head to Fordham Thursday to open up A-10 Conference play. UMass will play a double-header against the Rams starting at 12 p.m. EST. The Minutewomen will then head to La Salle on Saturday for a twinbill starting at 12 p.m. EST. UMass will play La Salle at Warren Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus. All games can be followed on GameTracker and listened to live at www. UMassathletics.com.
