UMBC Softball Overpowers Hartford

The biggest question mark Saturday afternoon in a clear mismatch between UMBC and Hartford was whether the softball game would be ended early by the NCAA’s mercy rule, enacted if a team is up at least eight runs after five innings.

Trailing 8-1 in the top of the fifth, the Hawks avoided having to leave the diamond early when left fielder Lauren Kamena hit a two-run home run to right center field, cutting the Retriever lead to five.

The threat of having the game end after five innings officially ended when UMBC first baseman Katie Ferguson got caught attempting to steal second base for the third out in the bottom of the frame.

But for most the afternoon, Hartford couldn’t slow the pace of UMBC baserunners crossing home plate. The Retrievers (24-21, 7-10 America East Conference) scored eight runs on seven hits to win game two of Saturday’s double header, 8-3, before 102 spectators at UMBC Softball Stadium.

In game one of the double header, UMBC won 8-1 behind a stellar 7 innings pitched by senior Stephanie Weigman (15-12).

The Retrievers entered the weekend series with Hartford (8-31, 2-12) knowing they must sweep the last-place Hawks, then hope Maine (17-27, 6-8) falters against Hartford next weekend. The Black Bears did not play this weekend, but do play next weekend when UMBC has a bye in the final weekend of the regular season.

UMBC plays the final game of its series aganst the Hawks Sunday at noon.

By winning the first two games of the series, Retrievers coach Joe French said his team kept itself in the hunt for a playoff spot in the America East Conference.

“You’ve got to win your games,” French said. “You’ve got to put pressure on Maine, who has the bye this week…You force the team that’s ahead of you to have to win.”

UMBC jumped on Hartford starter Siera Sheehan early when, in the bottom of the first inning, UMBC third baseman Jessica Warner put the Retrievers on the board with a two-run homer.

Leadoff hitter Lauren Brummell walked to start the inning, setting up Warner’s shot to right-center field.

Warner said she was “struggling to hit my pitch” lately, but the ball on the outside corner of the plate was no struggle for her to drive over the outfield wall.

Hartford got one back in the top of the second inning when catcher Jordan Haines hit a solo shot to dead center field on a 2-1 count, bringing the Hawks within a run at 2-1.

But UMBC was relentless early on, piling on multiple runs in the second and third innings.

In the bottom of the second, Brummell was again in the middle of the scoring, as her two-RBI double increased the Retriever lead to 4-1.

Shortstop Amy Metcalfe and pitcher Heather Brown came around to score on Brummel’s base knock after both reached on errors to start the inning.

But it was right fielder Ashley Scroggin who broke the game wide open in the bottom of the third inning, when her RBI double down the left field line plated three runs to give UMBC a 7-1 lead. Angela Yannone, Katie Ferguson and Warner all scored on the play.

Scroggin said other times this season, the team has gained an early lead and failed to tack on runs. Saturday, the Retrievers were able to add enough runs to maintain control throughout.

“If you get ahead at the beginning and just try to sit on it, there’s always a chance that they’re going to come back,” said Scroggin, who finished 1-for-2 with 3 RBIs.

Starting pitcher Heather Brown (5-4) helped maintain control by tossing an efficient 7 innings, allowing 3 runs and scattering 7 hits.

Defense helped the Retrievers, too. UMBC made the ordinary plays – they did not commit an error in the game – and the extraordinary ones, too.

In the top of the sixth, center fielder Lynn Pronobis made a spectacular diving catch to snare a plummeting line drive off the bat of Haines. Pronobis’ catch prevented Haines, who  homered in her first at-bat, from leading off the inning with what looked to be a potential double.

Said Pronobis of the catch: “You have to react as soon as the ball’s hit…It just kind of happens. I don’t think of anything.”

Appearing loose after the game as music blared from a pressbox loudspeaker, the Retrievers still know they must win one more game to give themselves a legitimate chance at extending their season.

“We’re just going to come in relaxed,” Scroggin said. “We’re having team time tonight…we’re just going to come in relaxed (tomorrow) and let whatever happens, happen.”