March 14, 2008

Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Sophomore Sarah Reeves' RBI double in the top of the sixth was the difference as the Massachusetts softball team defeated Radford University 1-0 on day one at the USF Under Armour Classic in Clearwater, Fla. on Friday. UMass softball's tournament schedule has been changed for the weekend, due to heavy rain in Clearwater, Fla. The Minutewomen will now play Indiana at 2 p.m. EST on Saturday, and finish off the showcase on Sunday with a double-header against Florida International and Rutgers at 11:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. EST respectively.

Sophomore center fielder Carly Normandin sparked the team in the bottom of the fifth as a Radford batter drove a pitch to deep center that Normandin grabbed as it was heading over the fence to eliminate any threat.

Senior Stacy Cullington led off the top the next inning with a hard single to left field over the glove of the Highlander third baseman. Reeves doubled to right-center on the next at-bat bringing speedy pinch-runner Davina Hernandez around to score from first base for the game's only run and the eventual winning tally.

Junior pitcher Balschmiter was brilliant in the circle for the Minutewomen as she gave up just one hit while striking out four en route to a complete game. She carried her no-hitter to the top of the fifth inning, but the quick leadoff hitter for Radford slapped a grounder to third and out-ran the throw to first for the Highlanders only hit. Balschmiter runs her record to an even 5-5 as the Minutewomen move to 7-9 on the season.