University of Massachusets Athletics

#23/15 UMass Softball Falls To #6/6 UCLA, 4-2
February 22, 2009 | Softball
Feb. 22, 2009
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Despite a second inning home run from Samantha Salato and a RBI single from Michelle Libby in the fourth, #23/15 UMass softball (5-3) fell to sixth-ranked UCLA (10-2), 4-2, on Saturday night on day two of the Cathedral City Classic.
Megan Langenfeld (2-0) pitched 3 1/3 innings of one-hit shutout relief to earn the victory. UMass chased Bruins starter Donna Kerr from the game in fourth inning after she allowed her second run and third hit. Brandice Balschmiter pitched all six innings for the Minutewomen, allowing six hits and three walks while striking out five. It was the senior's first loss of the season, sending her record to 4-1.
After both starting pitchers tossed one-two-three first innings, UMass took the lead in the top of the second when Salato crushed Kerr's 1-1 pitch deep over the fence for her second home run of the season and second in as many days.
The Bruins struck back in the bottom half of the inning. Kaila Shull led off with a single through the right side, and after a strikeout, Julie Burney hit Balschmiter's 1-1 offering over the fence in right-center to give UCLA a 2-1 lead.
The Minutewomen battled back in the fourth inning to tie the game. Sarah Reeves' one out single to left field started things off, and Jessica Serio walked with two outs to put runners on first and second for Libby. The junior designated player ripped a single to center field that scored pinch-runner Jill Andrews, making it a 2-2 game.
UCLA again responded in the bottom half of the inning. An infield single and a walk led to a two-out double down the right field line off the bat of Amanda Kamekona to plate two runs and give the Bruins a 4-2 lead.
The Minutewomen brought the tying run to the plat in the top of the seventh when Libby led the inning off with a single up the middle, but Langenfeld was able to get the next three UMass batters out on two fly-outs and a groundout.
The Minutewomen finish up play at the Cathedral City Classic with two games against top-10 ranked opponents. At 11 a.m. Eastern Time, UMass faces #8/4 Oklahoma. Immediately following that game, UMass will play defending national champ and #3/7 Arizona State.