UMBC

Dana Shepherd hit the game-winning home run against St. Francis (Pa.)

BALTIMORE—The UMBC softball team (8-10) split two games on the first day of the UMBC Spring Classic, defeating St. Francis (Pa.), 3-2, before falling to in-state rival Mount St. Mary’s, 4-1.

Both teams scored a single run in the first inning of game one, with UMBC designated player Amanda Fefel driving in center fielder Kali Shirk with a single and St. Francis catcher Kara Stroup plating shortstop Kelly Slingwine with a base hit.

The score remained tied until the third, when Red Flash second baseman Steph Griffin drove in designated player Nicki Waligora with a squeeze bunt single.

St. Francis held its 2-1 lead until the top of the seventh inning. After a leadoff walk, left fielder Lynn Pronobis smashed a fly ball to left that St. Francis left fielder Kelly Cortese brought back. But the very next batter, shortstop Dana Shepherd hit a ball to nearly the same spot the Cortese could not catch up with, giving the senior her second home run of the season and putting the Retrievers on top, 3-2.

The Red Flash loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but UMBC freshman Stephanie Weigman induced a groundout and a strikeout to end the game.

Weigman picked up the victory after pitching 4.1 shutout innings in relief, as she allowed just two hits and struck out seven. Laura Caldwell pitched the complete game for St. Francis and allowed just four hits and three walks while also fanning seven batters.

Weigman battled Mount St. Mary’s starter Jamie Fowler in a pitcher’s duel in the nightcap, with neither hurler allowing a run for five innings. Weigman retired the first 10 batters she faced.

But UMBC second baseman Jessica Vetock reached on an error to lead off the top of the sixth, sparking a rally that saw the Retrievers load the bases with one out, and designated player Ashley Gray drove in a run with an RBI groundout to put UMBC on top, 1-0.

But it all fell apart for Weigman and the Retrievers in the bottom of the inning, as Mount St. Mary’s scored four runs on three hits, two walks and an error to take a 4-1 lead. With runners on second and third and one out, third baseman Nicole Reeder singled to right field to drive in both Mountaineers. The final two runs scored on an RBI groundout and an error.

Pronobis doubled with one out in the seventh and advanced to third on an error, but she was stranded there, as the Retrievers dropped the 4-1 decision.

Weigman suffered the loss and was charged with all four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four in 5.1 innings. Fowler picked up the victory after allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks in seven innings of work.

Shepherd and Pronobis each went 2-for-3 in the game to account for UMBC’s four hits. Lisa Curreri led the Mountaineers offensively with a 2-for-3 effort.

The Retrievers return to action tomorrow when they face Niagara at 11:30 a.m. on the second day of the UMBC Spring Classic. Action begins at 9:30 a.m. when St. Francis faces Mount St. Mary’s.