Boston, Mass.—Junior shortstop Amanda Conti (Lincoln, R.I.) knocked in the game-winning runs in the top of the seventh as No. 4 Rhode Island College eliminated No. 1 UMass Boston, 2-0, in game eight of the 2024 Little East Softball Championship, hosted by UMass Boston on Friday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
No. 4 Rhode Island College 2, No. 1 UMass Boston 0
Rhode Island College (31-11)
UMass Boston (28-12)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Junior starter Taylor Babcock (East Providence, R.I.) hurled two scoreless innings before giving way to classmate Abby Kidd (Granby, Conn.) to start the bottom of the third.
 
 • The game remained a scoreless tie until the top of the seventh. With two away, sophomore second baseman Noelle Simmons (Goffstown, R.I.) reached on an infield single for the club's first hit of the day. Senior first baseman Katelyn Ashe (Colchester, Conn.) walked and junior right fielder Sarah Mickelson (New Milford, Conn.) reached on an infield single to load the bases.
 
• Conti came through with the big hit and Kidd slammed the door in the home half of the seventh to earn the win (19-5).
 
• After falling in their first game, RIC has won three straight elimination games at the tournament.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play an elimination game with No. 5 Southern Maine in game nine of the 2024 Little East Softball Championship on Saturday, May 11 (11 a.m.) at UMass Boston.