University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Dayton
UMass Softball Pitching Stifles Dayton in Weekend Sweep
May 08, 2016 | Softball
AMHERST, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts softball program netted a 4-1 victory over Dayton Sunday on the strength of stifling pitching performances from Meg Colleran and Taylor Carbone.
Colleran and Carbone closed the game with six shutout innings after the Flyers plated their lone run of the three-game series during the first inning. Colleran worked five innings before Carbone picked up the save with only one base runners allowed through the sixth and seventh frames.
Colleran won her 20th game of the season with only five hits and one walk issued. Carbone closed the contest with two shutout innings where she faced seven batters and only allowed one base runner on a hit by pitch.
Tara Klee provided power from the No. 4 spot in the lineup with a 2-for-4 afternoon that included her 13th double of the season and a two-RBI single. Jena Cozza added a 2-of-3 line with a pair of runs scored.
Jessica Gilliam took the loss for Dayton with three runs allowed in 3.2 innings pitched. She gave up four walks and five hits. Kennedy Haynes went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and Krista Gustafson had an RBI-double.
Gustafson, the third batter of the game, doubled in Kyle Davidson for the Flyers' strong start to the contest. Carbone helped her starting pitcher when she gunned down Gustafson for the third out of the inning as she attempted to race home after the next batter, Katie Ryan singled to third.
The Minutewomen answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning to turn the slim deficit into a 2-1 advantage. Using patience at the plate, Lindsey Zenk and Olivia Godin produced back-to-back based loaded walks. Zenk took ball four with a full count to even the score at 1-1 before Godin watched four consecutive Gilliam pitches miss the zone for her free pass.
Colleran settled in after the first inning and produced flawless third and fourth frames that she navigated with just 10 pitches thrown. The offense rewarded Colleran's dominance as Cozza doubled the lead with one fourth-inning swing.
Gilliam exited the fourth after a two-out walk to Erin Stacevicz and her replacement, Emily Froment, loaded the bases with consecutives hit by pitches. With Stacevicz standing on third, Cozza on second and Carbone at first base, Klee split Dayton's infielders with a single into right field that plated Stacevicz and Cozza.
Colleran and Carbone kept the Flyers to just one runner in scoring position the remainder of the game as the team improved to 24-22 overall and 15-6 in Atlantic 10 play. Dayton dropped to 26-19-1 on the season and 14-5-1 during league action with the loss.
The Minutewomen continue their season in the Atlantic 10 Championship, which begins on Wed., May 11 with games for teams seed third through sixth. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeded teams have a bye into the second round the next day.
For continued coverage of UMass softball, follow the team on Twitter via @UMassSoftball.
