UMBC

Baltimore, MD - Senior Linsi Moy (Kirkland, WA/Inglemoor) (18-5) allowed one run on six hits to lead Northeast Conference champions UMBC (46-19) to a 4-1 victory over the MEAC Champion, Bethune-Cookman (40-24) today at the UMBC Softball Stadium. Both teams won a game in yesterday's doubleheader with the Retrievers taking the first game, 5-0, and the Bethune-Cookman Lady Cats coming back, 4-3, in nine innings. With today's win, the Retrievers captured the NCAA Play-In series, 2-1, and will advance to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UMBC got on the board early when freshman Kristie Pickeral (Hughesville, MD/Thomas Stone) hit a two-run homerun in the first inning to score junior Lisa Boone (Owings, MD/Northern). Bethune-Cookman's only run came in the third inning after Moy gave up three consecutive hits to Rachel Kilbert (Pittsburgh, PA/Seton Hall), Jamie Tanksley (Irving, TX/MacArthur), and Brandee Lewis (Garland, TX/Rowlett). In the bottom of the third, Pickeral would hit another homer, this time a solo shot to center field to give UMBC a 3-1 lead. It was Pickeral's third homerun in the series.The Retrievers added another run in the sixth after sophomore Jess Graziano (Pearl River, NY/Pearl River) hit a one-out single to center field. Freshman Alexis Viera (Odenton, MD/Arundel) followed with another single before sophomore Crystal Beveridge (Bowie, MD/St. John's College) would send Graziano home.Moy, who has won seven straight while allowing only two runs in her last four outings, was awarded the win. Bethune-Cookman starter Miranda Mayse (Kennedale, TX/Kennedale), who gave up two runs on four hits was tabbed with the lossUMBC's opponent in the first round of the NCAA Tournament will be decided on Sunday, May 12.