Boston, Mass.--Sophomore catcher Alexis Boyce (Wolcott, Conn.) led the way for the Anchorwomen, going 2-for-6 with one run scored and one RBI, as Rhode Island College lost game one, 6-5, and saw game two halted due to darkness in a pair of Little East softball games played at the UMB softball field on Thursday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Game One: UMass Boston 6, Rhode Island College 5
Game Two: Rhode Island College 4, UMass Boston 4 (halted game; called due to darkness in the top of the ninth).
Rhode Island College (7-17, 2-11 LEC)
UMass Boston (3-8, 3-8 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One:
• The Beacons took control of the game early on as they knocked in three runners in the opening frame to build a 3-0 lead. The stanza was highlighted by junior designated player Alley Diaute's (Braintree, Mass.) drive to right center that brought in a pair of runners.
 
• The RIC offense was quiet until the fourth frame when Boyce doubled to right field and was driven in by a sophomore left fielder Julie Vincent (Norwich, Conn.) single to center field that brought two runs home.
 
• A freshman center fielder Avery Katz (Brookfield, Conn.) single through the left side of the infield allowed the Anchorwomen to even the score at three apiece in the fourth.
 
• The Beacons brought in another three runs in the bottom of the fifth, with a pair of runs crossing home plate after a freshman pitcher Brianna Melchionda (Marshfield, Mass.) single up the middle that allowed the hosts to take a 6-3 lead.
 
• The Anchorwomen scored another run in the sixth inning as Vincent doubled to right field to plate sophomore right fielder Faith Turinese (Plainville, Mass.) and pull RIC within two, 6-4.
 
• RIC managed to score another run, thanks to a Boyce double to right center, before UMB closed the door and secured the victory.
 
• RIC freshman pitcher Caitlin Lopez (Cranston, R.I.) took the loss (4-7).
 
• Melchionda threw a complete game, allowing five runs on eight hits and struck out 11 in the victory (2-3).
 
Game Two:
• The Anchorwomen got on the board in the opening frame when an errant throw allowed Katz to cross the plate for a 1-0 lead.
 
• UMB was quick to respond as junior third basemen Caley Ruggiero (Southbury, Conn.) hit a leadoff triple and scored on a fielder's choice two batters later.
 
• UMB took the lead in the home side of the third inning as Ruggiero singled to lead off, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and then was driven home on a sacrifice fly by senior second basemen Kelly Danahy (Kingston, Mass.) to give the Beacons a 2-1 advantage.
 
• The Anchorwomen offense began to find their rhythm in the fourth as sophomore shortstop Alexis LeBelle (Warwick, R.I.) singled down the right field line and then scored on a Katz single up the middle to even the score at 2-2.
 
• A sophomore catcher Callie Rathbun (North Kingstown, R.I.) sacrifice hit drove in the go-ahead run in the fourth to put RIC on top, 3-2.
 
• RIC added to its lead in the sixth frame as freshman designated player Katelyn Ashe (Colchester, Conn) doubled to left center to knock in Katz from second base to go ahead by two, 4-2.
 
• UMB did not go away as the Beacons managed to score another run in the bottom of the sixth as a sophomore shortstop Sydney Sanden (Riverton, Conn.) single pulled the hosts within one, 4-3.
 
• The Beacons bats came up clutch in the home half of the seventh frame with a leadoff bunt and a double to left field, which set the stage for the hosts to tie the game on a wild pitch.
 
• The game was halted in the top of the ninth due to darkness.
 
• RIC freshman pitcher Tatiana Burcy (Boston, Mass.) threw 8.0 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and struck out seven batters in the tie.
 
• UMB freshman pitcher Emily Doble (Danvers, Mass.) went 4.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and struck out one batter.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• Katz went 3-for-9 with a pair of runs scored and two RBI. LeBelle finished the day going 3-for-8 with one run scored.
 
• Ruggiero went 2-for-8 with a pair of runs scored. Danahy went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of RBI.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will continue Little East action with a doubleheader at home vs. Plymouth State on Friday, May 7 (3 p.m.).