UMBC

Stephanie Weigman struck out five of the 10 Vermont batters she faced.

BURLINGTON, Vt.—The UMBC softball team (20-26, 9-9 AEC) scored two runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning but did not manage a single base runner over the final six frames, dropping the series finale to America East rival Vermont (13-25, 6-12 AEC) by a score of 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Archie Post Field.

The Retrievers loaded the bases with one out in the first, as second baseman Dana Shepherd doubled, catcher Kali Shirk singled and pitcher Ashley Gray walked. Shepherd came around to score on an RBI fielder’s choice by first baseman Amanda Fefel, followed by a run-scoring single by designated player Alison Duff that plated Shirk and kept the bases jammed. But UMBC could not add to its big inning, as back-to-back fielder’s choices nailed Gray at the plate and Duff at third base, ending the inning.

Vermont starter Aimee Kern (6-14) settled down after that, retiring the next 18 batters in order for the complete game victory.

The Catamounts, meanwhile, scored a single run in the second and four runs in the third for the 5-2 lead. First baseman Jeanine Connolly reached on a leadoff walk in the second inning and scored on a two-out single by center fielder Laura Stagliano.

In the third, back-to-back singles and consecutive fielder’s choices loaded the bases with one out, and Connolly walked to drive in the tying run. The next batter, left fielder Elena Rizza hit a double to right-center field to clear the bases and chase Gray.

UMBC reliever Stephanie Weigman retired the first eight batters she faced before surrendering a one-out double to Rizza in the sixth. After Kern struck out, Stagliano singled, but Duff nailed Rizza at the plate to end the threat.

Gray (5-8) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on four hits and two walks in 2.2 innings of work. Weigman pitched a scoreless 3.1 innings, allowing just the two hits in the sixth while striking out five of the 10 batters she faced.

The Retrievers return to action on Wednesday, when they travel to Newark, Del., to face perennial rival Delaware in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.