UMBC

Krissy Licursi was 4-for-6 in UMBC's doubleheader against Howard.

Washington, D.C.-The UMBC softball team (13-6) improved its winning streak to seven with a doubleheader sweep of host Howard (14-12) Tuesday afternoon. The Retrievers took the first game, 12-2, in five innings, then won game two, 7-3.

Catcher Krissy Licursi went 3-for-3 and the Retrievers hit four home runs in the first game.

Howard took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but UMBC scored five times in the third and seven in the fourth behind homers by second baseman Dana Shepherd, pitcher Amanda Fefel, center fielder Kali Shirk and right fielder Carla O’Rourke. Shepherd also doubled in the game, while Shirk and O’Rourke each had three RBI.

Fefel and senior Jessica Taylor combined on a two-hitter, with each pitcher allowing one hit. Fefel started the game and went three innings, allowing one run. Taylor took over in the fourth and allowed an unearned run in the fifth inning.

Dale McNeal started the game for the Bison and gave up five runs on four hits and six walks in three innings before giving way to Christina McCoy, who allowed seven runs (five earned) on four hits and two walks in two innings.

UMBC scored three runs in the top of the first in game two as the first four batters reached base, and the Retrievers had six hits in the inning. Howard got one back in the second, and neither team scored again until the sixth, when UMBC put up three more on two singles and two doubles for the 6-1 lead.

Howard scored twice in the bottom of the inning, but the Retrievers posted an insurance run in the top of the seventh on two hits and an error for the 7-3 victory.

Gray went the distance for the win, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five in seven innings. McNeal also pitched a complete game in the loss for Howard, as she gave up seven runs on 13 hits and two walks.

Four Retrievers – Shepherd, Fefel, first baseman Melanie Denischuk and left fielder Krista Kearns – had two hits apiece in the game, while Kearns posted two RBI. Fefel's two hits were both doubles, while Shepherd and Denischuk also had two-baggers.

The Retrievers return to action Saturday, March 31, when they host Maine in a doubleheader for their America East Conference opener.