UMBC

Ashley Gray struck out nine batters in seven innings and also drove in three runs.

BURLINGTON, Vt.—The UMBC softball team (20-25, 9-8 AEC) split a doubleheader with America East rival Vermont (12-25, 5-12 AEC) Saturday afternoon at Archie Post Field. The Catamounts took the first game, 3-2, but the Retrievers won game two, 5-2.

Game 1: Vermont 3, UMBC 2

The Retrievers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game one when second baseman Dana Shepherd and catcher Kali Shirk led off with infield singles and advanced to second and third with a double steal. Both players came around to score on a fielder’s choice by designated player Amanda Fefel and ensuing throwing error by Vermont shortstop Kate Haber.

The Catamounts cut their deficit in half in the fourth when third baseman Jeanine Connolly doubled and pinch runner Caitlin Monahan came around to score on a throwing error. Vermont then went ahead in the fifth on a double by designated player Caroline Goddard and RBI singles by Haber and Connolly.

UMBC freshman pitcher Stephanie Weigman (11-13) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight in the six-inning complete game. Aimee Kern (5-14) gave up two runs on five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in the seven-inning victory.

Left fielder Lauren Brummell paced the Retrievers’ offense with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, while Connolly was the only Catamount with multiple hits.

Game 2: UMBC 5, Vermont 2

UMBC hurler Ashley Gray led the Retrievers both at the plate and in the circle in game two, as she went 3-for-4 with three RBI and also allowed two runs on six hits and struck out a season-high nine batters without allowing a walk in seven innings.

The Retrievers again scored first, tallying a single run in the first inning on an RBI double by Gray, but the Catamounts took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on a pair of singles and a two-run double by Kern.

But UMBC capitalized on three Vermont errors in the fifth to score four runs and take the lead for good. Right fielder Alison Duff led off with a double, and pinch runner Randi Willey scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. Shepherd then walked and stole second, then came around to score on a pair of errors, the first of which allowed Shirk to reach base. After Brummell walked, Gray’s double drove in both runners to put UMBC on top, 5-2 and chase Catamount starter Alison Daggett.

Gray (5-7) allowed just one hit over the final three innings to pick up her fifth victory of the season. Daggett (4-4) suffered the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings. Jocelyn Abaray pitched the final 2.2 innings and did not allow a run on two hits.

Gray and first baseman Julia Culotta combined for five of UMBC’s six hits in the game, while Kern was the only Catamount with multiple hits.

The teams meet again in the series finale Sunday at 12 p.m. at Archie Post Field.