April 16 is one for the books as the UMass Boston softball team hosted LEC conference opponent Rhode Island College in a double-header, earning their first-ever sweep against the Anchormen.
With a strong season record of 18-8, this youthful Beacons team seems well on its way to succeeding over their conference opponents.
The Beacons have faced three conference games so far this season. On April 9, they played against UMass Dartmouth at home. They split games in the double-header that day. They beat Dartmouth with a 1-0 score in the first game, but were soon returned with a loss in the second game with Dartmouth succeeding them 2-0. 
Their next conference opponent was against the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors, which was originally scheduled for April 2, but due to poor weather, was played on April 10. The Beacons showed no mercy as they finished the double-header day with double wins. The first game was a comfortable score of 8-4 to finish, but the second was a nail-biter as the Beacons fought through to defeat the warriors 9-8.
In the second game against the Warriors, the Beacons tied their season-high with nine runs scored. Despite the close finish, UMass Boston was in the lead the entire game.
Roxane Vento, whose proven to be a huge impact on the team in her freshman year, had a superstar performance as she finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, five RBIs, and her first home run of the season. Freshman Alexa St. Angelo showed her talent with three hits and two RBIs, while Junior Gia Raczkowski held it down with her first home run of the season and three runs scored.
The Beacons’ momentum was far from over when they faced RIC, bringing back memories of last year. RIC’s loss to UMass Dartmouth kept UMass Boston out of the conference tournament due to a three-way tie.
This year, a fire was lit under the Beacons as they not only defeated RIC in both games of the double-header day, but earned their first ever sweep in game two over the Anchormen in program history. The Beacons’ collective effort produced nine RBI and four hits. Freshman and starting pitcher Annie Thomas kept the pressure on one of the top batting teams in the LEC with allotting just one earned run.
The junior class continued with their consistent stability as Lauren Mitsiaris led by going 3-for-4 with a season high of four RBIs and a run scored, while Rasckowski and captain Kaitlyn Morse both ended with two runs in the 6-2 victory in game one.
The second game included an outstanding performance by freshman pitcher Vic Zechello as she prevented the Anchormen from scoring and only allowing two hits. This marks her third collegiate shutout as the Beacons defeated the Anchormen 9-0 in their first ever sweep over RIC.
This epic win has tied the Beacons in first place in the LEC. The Beacons will face their next conference opponent, the University of Southern Maine, at 3:30 p.m. on April 19 at home.