First and Sixth Inning Rallies Propel UMBC Softball Past Delaware, 13-4
March 9, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• Boxscore
BALTIMORE, Md. -- UMBC scored four runs in the first inning and five in the sixth as the Retrievers posted a 13-4 non-conference victory over the University of Delaware softball team Wednesday afternoon at the UMBC Softball Stadium.
The Retrievers, who improved to 4-6 on the season, took control early by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning off Blue Hen starter Anne Marie Pagano. With one out Lynn Pronobis singled into left field, and after she stole second, Pronobis advanced to third when the throw by UD catcher Gina Knutson was off the mark. Julia Culotta then drilled an RBI single into left to open the scoring, while Katie Ferguson followed with a two-run homer to left as UMBC took a three-run advantage. Angela Yannone then doubled to right center, and following a passed ball, Jessica Warner delivered an RBI groundout to make it a 4-0 game.
Delaware, which fell to 3-9 this season, got on the board in the top of the second by pushing across an unearned run. With one out Knutson reached on an error by Culotta at third base, and after she moved to third with two outs, Michelle McKinnon drilled a run-scoring single to center field as the Blue Hens closed to within three.
However the Retrievers would get the run right back in the bottom of the second, as Lauren Brummell led off the frame by blasting a leadoff homer to right field. Later in the inning UMBC put two runners on base, but UD reliever Kathleen Conway struck out Yannone and got Lauren O’Malley to ground out to first to escape further damage.
Delaware looked to claw back into the game during the top of the third when Lara Andrews and Amanda Stacevicz (at right) each singled with two outs, but Retrievers pitcher Stephanie Weigman struck out Knutson to get out of the jam.
The Blue Hens added a run during the top of the fourth when Jenny Richards lined a single up the middle to plate McKinnon with Delaware’s second run of the day. Michelle Grap then walked to load the bases, but Andrews popped up to Weigman as UMBC maintained its three-run cushion.
The Retrievers then added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame to make increase the margin to 7-2. Pronobis led off with a walk, and after Ferguson worked a one-out walk, both runners moved up a base on a double steal. Yannone then lofted a sacrifice fly to chase home Pronobis, while Ferguson came around to score on a single up the middle by O’Malley.
Delaware looked to rally right back in the fifth when the Blue Hens put runners on second and third with two outs following a Stacevicz double and a Rachel Jones walk, but Weigman retired McKinnon on a ground out to shortstop to keep it a five-run game. UMBC then added a run during the bottom of the fifth when Jessica Warner led off with a home run to center field.
The Blue Hens answered in the sixth as walks to Samantha Pettie, Grap and Andrews loaded the bases with one out. Pettie then scored when Stacevicz grounded out to second, while Grap crossed the plate when Knutson reached on another error by Culotta.
However the Retrievers would put the game away by erupting for five runs during the bottom of the frame. O’Malley delivered a based loaded single up the middle to drive home Culotta, while Warner followed with a grand slam over the center field fence to end the game due to the mercy rule.
Weigman improved to 4-3 for the Retrievers after allowing four runs, just one earned, on five hits while striking out seven batters. Pagano dropped to 1-3 for Delaware after giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning, while Conway was charged with nine earned runs in 4.2 innings of work.
Delaware returns to action on Saturday during the first day of the Norfolk State Spartan Classic, when the Blue Hens take on the host Spartans at 9 a.m. and Marist at 11 a.m.
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