The University of Massachusetts Boston softball team split a double header against Castleton University in which we saw two low scoring games—the first of which was won by Castleton by a score of 3–1, while game two was won by the Beacons 3–2. 
Junior Jess Greenspan was on the mound in the first game, and she pitched extremely well early on. In the home half of the first inning, senior Taylor Pawlina gave Greenspan some breathing room as she hit a sacrifice fly and drove in junior Gigi Braga. Castleton answered with a run of their own in the top of the second, but that was when Greenspan really settled in. She only allowed one hit over the next four innings of play, but the Beacons could not get their bats going. They were continuously putting runners on base but struggled to take advantage of golden opportunities. Castleton finally figured out Greenspan in the last inning, scoring two runs on three hits to take a 3–1 lead. They never looked back, although the Beacons did threaten to score as they had two runners on with two outs in the home half of the seventh, but once again failed to get them across the plate.
Game two was an even closer battle, but the Beacons found themselves on the right side of it this time. Freshman Hayley Catania got the start for UMass Boston and did not even allow a hit until the third inning. Just like in the first game, the Beacons struck first, as junior Kiera Prusmack scored on a passed ball. Catania kept Castleton off the board through five innings of play, but they then rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth. While trailing 2–1 and their backs against the wall, the Beacons got two runners on base with two outs. Thanks to some heads up base running by junior Giovanna Bonilla, she was able to score on an error and tie the game up 2–2. Catania was back to dominating as she threw a 1–2–3 seventh, and this game needed an extra inning before it could be decided. Due to Castleton’s third error on the day, sophomore Kelly Danahy scored the game-winning run for UMass Boston. The 3–2 win in walk-off fashion was huge for the Beacons.
Aside from the Castleton game, earlier in the week senior Roxanne Vento was recognized by the Little East Conference for her tremendous play. She was named LEC Player of the Week for the second time in her collegiate career, and she sure did earn it. On the week, she went 7–11, including two home runs, a double, and six runs batted in. It is no surprise though, as she has been performing this way since game one. On the season, she now has a batting average of .421, has four home runs, and has driven in 34 runs. 
In the 3–1 loss to Castleton, Jess Greenspan fell to 14–6 on the year. She struck out three and gave up seven hits, while all three runs were earned. Hayley Catania improved to 7–6, while she struck out five and allowed 10 hits, which were only good for two runs. 
The Beacons now sit with an overall record of 21–16 and a conference record of 7–9. Their sub .500 conference record will not earn them the seed they would have hoped for in the LEC Tournament, but this has not mattered for them in the past. Look for UMass Boston to make some noise this postseason.