UMBC

Melanie Denischuk drove in eight runs in two games against Georgetown.

Washington, D.C.-UMBC first baseman Melanie Denischuk drove in eight runs on four hits, including two home runs, in two games to lead the Retrievers (16-8) past host Georgetown (8-27) Tuesday afternoon at Guy Mason Field by scores of 7-2 and 9-4.

Denischuk continued her torrid hitting, as she has batted .632 (12-for-19) with three home runs in her last five games.

The Retrievers took an early 3-0 lead in game one, scoring three times in the top of the first inning. Four of the first five batters reached base, ignited by a leadoff double by second baseman Dana Shepherd and consecutive one-out singles by Denischuk, first baseman Amanda Fefel and shortstop Reilly Ward.

UMBC added three more in the fifth on Denischuk’s homer, which scored left fielder Kristi Troster and Shepherd, who had each singled to start the inning. Shepherd picked up an RBI in the sixth with a two-out base hit.

Starting pitcher Ashley Gray retired 15 of the 16 batters she faced, including the final 14 after allowing a one-out single to the second batter of the game. She struck out five in five innings to pick up the victory. Senior Jessica Taylor relieved Gray in the sixth and allowed two runs on three hits in the seventh after retiring the side in order in her first inning of work.

Jennifer Connell suffered the loss in a complete game effort for the Hoyas after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and a walk while striking out six in seven innings.

Denischuk was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI in the game, while Shepherd went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI at the plate.

Georgetown jumped on UMBC starter Krista Kearns for two runs in each of the first two innings of the second game, but the Retrievers tied the score at 4-4 in the top of the third on Denischuk’s second three-run homer of the day, scoring Shepherd and center fielder Kali Shirk, who had each walked to start the inning. Then with two outs, Gray and catcher Krissy Licursi walked and right fielder Lauren O’Malley singled up the middle to drive in Gray.

UMBC took a 7-4 lead in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Ward and a two-run base hit by Licursi, then added two more in the fifth on a double by Shirk and a sac fly by Denischuk.

Fefel earned the victory after pitching 3.2 scoreless innings in relief and allowing no hits and just one walk and striking out five. Kearns gave up four runs (three earned) on three hits and five walks while striking out five in 3.1 innings to start the game.

Sarah Kamenski suffered the loss for Georgetown after allowing seven runs on six hits and eight walks while striking out five in 3.2 innings of work. Connell relieved her and gave up two runs on a hit and a walk in 3.1 innings.

Denischuk was 2-for-3 with four RBI in the game, while Shirk went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

The Retrievers return to action this weekend when they head to Albany to take on the defending America East champions in a three-game series Friday and Saturday.