Softball Splits Doubleheader with UMass Dartmouth

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth split a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday afternoon.  The visiting Bears won the opener, 5-1, in eight innings while the Corsair earned the split with a 6-1 victory in game two.

Junior left fielder Melissa Harmon's (Shrewsbury, MA) two-run homer ignited a four-run eighth inning that carried Bridgewater State to the 5-1 win in the opener.

The Corsairs had come from behind to tie the score with one out in the bottom of the seventh on senior pitcher Brittany Eldridge's (Raynham, MA) RBI single.

After Harmon's homer, BSU scored twice more in the eighth on an error and a wild pitch. The Bears had taken the lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by junior catcher Brianna Strecker (Waterford, CT).

Sophomore right-hander Amber White (Middleboro, MA) earned the win in the complete game effort for BSU.  White (14-5) gave up just four hits and fanned seven.

Freshman right-hander Becky Williams (Hope Valley, RI) took the loss for UMD, falling to 1-6.

The Corsairs took a commanding 6-0 lead in the third inning of the nightcap. Sophomore shortstop Emily Pontes (Tewksbury, MA) broke the scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly scoring senior catcher Hannah Rounds (Lincoln, RI).  Rounds opened the inning by reaching third on a dropped fly ball.  After junior third baseman Breanna Marcyoniak (Westfield, MA) made it a 2-0 game with an RBI single, UMD subsequently loaded the bases.  Freshman right fielder Becky Williams (Hope Valley, RI) cleared the bases with a three-run triple before scoring on Hogan's double to cap the rally.

BSU got on the board in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by junior center fielder Jordan McDermott (East Bridgewater, MA).  

Eldridge earned the victory on the mound for UMass Dartmouth, improving to 8-11, while junior Meghan Dunn (Colchester, CT) took the loss for the Bears.  Dunn (12-6) gave up six unearned runs on seven hits and walked two in six innings of work.

UMass Dartmouth is now 12-26 on the season, while Bridgewater State is 26-11. Both teams return to action on Saturday as the Corsairs visit Keene State, while the Bears host Salem State.