UMB’s softball team is coming off a recent season opening trip to Clermont, Florida. With cold weather still hovering in New England, regular season games were against other northern schools and universities. The girls ended the trip at 4-4, including a walk-off win over SUNY Geneseo where they scored all three runs in the 7th to cap a 3-2 victory. Sophomore catcher Sue Killilea drew a bases-loaded walk that allowed the Beacons to grab the win.
The team won their first two games in Florida before dropping their next three. The girls then went 2-1 in the final three games, including a 3-0 shutout against Western New England. The Lady Beacons now return to Boston with a .500 record and 32 games remaining. This includes the home opener, a double header against Salem State at 3:00 PM on Thursday at the Clark Center field. A softball season is a long grind and the trip to Florida was a well-earned start to the season, but now the real fun begins. The LEC softball season is structured for double headers at least twice a week so the rigorous 40 game schedule can be met in one semester. This fast-paced season takes a toll on a team, so the trip to Florida was a nice break.
The girls had to work throughout the school year to raise money for the trip, mostly by working at the concession stand at the Clark Athletic Center. The team also worked at a concession stand at Alumni Stadium during BC football games. The top performers for the trip were Christina Polsonetti, who stole 3 bases and hit .368 in 8 games including 3 doubles, and Katie Corey, who put up a 2.07 ERA over 27 innings pitched over the trip. For the outstanding freshman class, it was their first taste of college softball. Freshman Erika Vecchiet started 5 games and scored three runs. Toni Scola, also a freshman, started 6 of the 8 games for the Beacons over the trip. Although the team ERA was a solid 2.72, standout pitcher Kara Willis struggled, allowing 4 ER in 3 innings in a no-decision. The Beacons have a tough schedule ahead; they are hoping the team chemistry built during this trip will carry on throughout the regular season and conference tournament, which the Lady Beacons believe they can make some noise in.