Bristol Reporter

Behind a pair of home runs in game two, the UMass Dartmouth softball team split doubleheader action against Babson College on Wednesday evening. The Corsairs picked up an 8-0 5 inning victory in game two to improve to 12-6 overall, while the Beavers posted a 3-2 win in game one and are now 10-8 on the season.

Game two saw the Corsairs open with a bang as grad student Jill Richards opened with a single to center. Second baseman Larissa Piessens then sent one to right field, putting runners on first and second as junior first baseman Hailey Lyons stepped up to the plate. Her shot to left center field bounced off the top of the wall and out for the three-run home run.
 
The Corsairs added to their advantage in the bottom of the third as junior catcher Dyonna Rodas reached on and error, which was followed as designated player Lindsay Chubbuck stepped up and sent a long deep ball well over the left centerfield wall for the second home run of the game and her third of the season.
 
Action continued in the inning as UMD added another run with Piessens singling to third. Lyons reached on a fielders choice and Piessens later scored on a wild pitch to give the Corsairs a solid 6-0 lead after three innings.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Corsairs solidified their victory as shortstop Leah Major singled down the right field line to get things going. Rodas grounded out, but was able to advance Major to second as she went on to take third on a throwing error and scored. Richards went on to double and Piessens grounded out to the pitcher but advanced the runner from third for the 8-0 margin.
 
Junior Kaitlyn Shirshac – the reigning Little East Pitcher of the Week – was once again outstanding, but made way in the top of the fifth for sophomore Ella Beaulieu, who got the Beavers to ground out in three straight at-bats to close out the contest.
 
Shirshac improved to 7-0 for the Corsairs, allowing no runs on just two hits over 4.0 innings of work. She struck out two batters and allowed no walks. Beaulieu pitched the final frame with no walks, hits or runs surrendered. At the plate, Richards went 3-for-3, while Piessens was 2-for-3 on the day. Lyons was 1-for-2 with three RBI and a run scored.
 
Babson saw rookie Natasha Taubenheim shoulder the loss allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits through 2.0 innings pitched. Nicole Sestito came on for the final 2.0 innings, allowing three runs (1 earned) on four hits with a walk.
 
In game one, the Beavers got an outstanding effort from Moira O'Reilly, who improved to 7-2 on the season after allowing two runs on just four hits over 7.0 innings of work. She stifled the Corsairs bats in the contest, striking out 12 batters while walking just two.
 
The Corsairs opened the game's scoring as catcher Lindsay Chubbuck drove and RBI single to center, but the Beavers countered in the fifth as an RBI double from O'Reilly tied the game. The visitors capitalized in the top of the sixth as two runs came across on a costly throwing error by UMD to grab the 3-1 lead.
 
Chubbuck once again came through in the bottom of the sixth, singling up the middle to drive in a run, but it was as close as the Corsairs could get.
 
UMass Dartmouth is back in action on Thursday, traveling to Roger Williams for a single game beginning at 3:30pm. 

Original source can be found here.