University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Stephen F. Austin
UMass Splits First Two Games of Houston Invitational
February 14, 2015 | Softball
HOUSTON, Texas - The Massachusetts softball team picked up their first win of the season en route to splitting their first two games at the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational on Friday.
Game 1: UMass 6, Stephen F. Austin 4
In the afternoon game, a pair of UMass home runs helped the Minutewomen pick up their first win of the season, as they defeated Stephen F. Austin State University, 6-4.
After SFA scored two runs in the bottom of the second, UMass got on the board in the third with a two-run home run from Tara Klee. A pair of singles from Cote Clark and Taylor Carbone and a walk drawn by Jena Cozza led to another UMass run after Makayla Sykes was charged with an illegal pitch.
Centerfielder Mikayka Panko notched a home run of her own to increase the UMass lead to 4-2 after four innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, SFA tied the game at four with a pair of hits from the Lady Jacks' Taylor Fraccastoro and Alisa Hamilton.
UMass took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning as Carbone's single through the right side scored both Quianna Diaz-Patterson and Klee to put UMass up 6-4.
Caroline Raymond pitched all seven innings, giving up 4 earned runs while striking out three.
Game 2: McNeese State 5, UMass 2
In the second game of the day, a grand slam completed a five run first inning for the McNeese State Cowgirls as they defeated the Minutewomen 5-3 Friday night at Houston's Cougar Softball Stadium.
After walking in the first run of the game, McNeese's Taylor Schmidt took advantage of a bases loaded situation as she knocked a grand slam over the left field fence.
The game remained 5-0 until the fourth, when UMass benefitted from of a pair of throwing errors. Pinch runner Caitlyn Hickey scored on a throwing error from third and two batters later, Klee recorded the Minutewomen's second run of the game when the shortstop was unable to handle a grounded ball from Olivia Godin.
UMass (1-1) would add another run on a Carbone fielder's choice in the top of the seventh, but with the tying run at the plate, the Minutewomen were unable to capitalize.
UMass continues play in the Houston Hilton Plaza Invitational tomorrow with a pair of games against Houston and DePaul. First pitch against Houston is set for 3:00 pm Central time.
