Massachusetts Claims Walk-Off Win Over Nicholls On Day One In Houston

HOUSTON, TX. -- Massachusetts (3-4) split its first two games at the Houston Classic, defeating Nicholls (5-4) in game one of the day, before falling to Houston (7-1) Friday at Cougar Softball Stadium.

Massachusetts opened day one in Texas with a thrilling 2-1 walk-off victory over Nicholls. Junior Grace Cadden drove her first home run of the year out of the park on a two out full count in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Minutewomen to their third victory of the season. UMass rallied in the seventh scoring both its runs in the inning, the first coming as Jordyn Graime crossed the plate on a Colonels wild pitch. Sophomore Natalee Horton got the nod in the circle, pitching her first complete game of the season, allowing just three hits and recording four strikeouts in the victory. Senior Chloe Whittier tallied the lone multi-hit game for the Minutewomen, including a double in the first inning of play.

The Minutewomen fell 5-0 to Houston in Friday's late night matchup. Cadden recorded a hit, making her the lone UMass player to tally a hit in both games. Junior Julianne Bolton made her fourth appearance of the season, pitching four innings while allowing just two hits.

Notable Numbers

1: Cadden secured a victory for the Minutewomen with her first home run of the season.
1: Freshman Riley Kairer made her UMass debut, starting in left field.
2: Cadden was the lone Minutewomen to record a hit in both games on Friday.
7: Horton pitched her first complete game this season, allowing just three hits and claiming her first win in the circle.

Up Next

UMass matches up with Northwestern State at 12:00 p.m. and UTSA at 5 p.m. on day two of the Houston Classic. Links and live updates can be found at umassathletics.com and @umasssoftball on X (Twitter).

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