UMBC

BALTIMORE—The UMBC softball team (9-13) managed only four hits in the championship game of the UMBC Spring Classic and fell to St. Francis (8-16) by a score of 6-0 Saturday morning at UMBC Softball Stadium.

All of the Red Flash’s scoring came with two outs. St. Francis got three runs on four hits in the third. With the bases loaded, third baseman Nicki Waligora singled to center to drive in shortstop Kelly Slingwine and center fielder Nicole Bender. The next batter, first baseman Hillary McNelis singled to left to drive in catcher Kara Stroup for the 3-0 lead.

The Red Flash added a single run in the fourth on an RBI single by Bender. Then in the top of the seventh, Waligora hit a two-run home run to give St. Francis the 6-0 victory.

The Retrievers’ best chance to score came in the third inning, when runners reached first and third, but they were stranded there.

Laura Caldwell (3-10) pitched a complete game shutout on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts to earn the victory. Freshman Stephanie Weigman (5-7) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four in four innings. Sophomore Amanda Fefel was charged with two runs on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings in relief.

Four different Red Flash batters picked up two hits each, led by Waligora, who was 2-for-4 with four RBI. Four different Retrievers accounted for UMBC’s four hits on the day.

In the Spring Classic consolation game, Niagara defeated Mount St. Mary's, 5-2.

The Retrievers return to action on Tuesday, when they take on cross-town rival Towson in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. at the Tigers’ home park.