UMBC

Baltimore, MD- The UMBC softball team improved to 22-17 on the season as they shut out the Howard Lady Bison by scores of 9-0 and 1-0 in a non-conference doubleheader this afternoon at the UMBC Softball Stadium. With the losses, Howard dropped their season record to 6-13.

In game one, the Retrievers scored three runs in each of the first three innings, while starter Lauren Nicholson threw a three-hit shutout during the same time span to earn the win. Freshman Jessica Mathews made her Division I debut in relief, allowing just one hit in two innings of work. Offensively, UMBC was led by Lauren Hebb, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI’s, and Lara Seamon and Christy Sheppard, who each had two RBI’s.

In the nightcap, it was a completely different story, as both pitchers allowed no earned runs throughout the complete match. However, the Retrievers were able to capitalize on a throwing error by catcher in the bottom of the fourth inning, allowing freshman pinch runner Jessica Keenan to score from third base. For the game, UMBC managed only two hits – from Hebb and Kristie Pickeral. Starter Amy Sadowl pitched a five-hit shutout to improve to 10-5 on the season.