WILMINGTON, N.C. – UMBC softball combined for four hits in its two games on day one of the 2013 Seahawk Clash. The Retrievers dropped its first contest of the day, 7-1, to Morehead State and followed with a 3-1 loss to host UNC-Wilmington in game two.
In game one, Morehead State came out swinging, with Sam Woodall drilling a triple down the left field line. Kayla Ashbrook followed with a single through the left side to drive home Woodall and take the quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Amber Riddle extended the advantage on the next at bat with a two-run shot over the left field fence to put the Eagles out in front 3-0.
A pair of doubles from Samantha Howard and Elizabeth Wagner added a run for MSU in the top of the third. UMBC would respond with its only run of the contest in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman Bridget O'Malley (Brooklyn, Md./Seton Keough) singled to right field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore Mary Hartman (Eldersburg, Md./Century). The Retrievers took advantage of Morehead State's only error in the contest, as a misfire from Howard at third base would allow O'Malley to cross the plate.
UMBC committed three errors in the final three innings, leading to three unearned runs for the Eagles. Starting pitcher Miranda Clark (Tampa, Fla./H.B. Plant) allowed four earned runs on seven hits and fanned three batters in her first loss of the season, while reliever Heather Brown (Pasadena, Md./Northeast) tossed the final two innings and did not surrender an earned run. Katie Pfost (2-1) earned the victory for Morehead State, tossing four innings and allowing one run, while Kelcey McMurray came in relief for the final three innings.
In game two, Chelsea Bertoglio (Laguna Hills, Calif./Laguna Hills/Saddleback College) took the circle for the Retrievers, tossing her first complete game of the season. The junior (0-2) allowed three runs on nine hits and struck out three in the loss.
The host Seahawks scored all three of their runs with two outs in the bottom of the second. Bertoglio lost some control in the inning, walking Jordin Phillips, hitting Camry Wagner and throwing a pair of wild pitches, to score one run and put runners on second and third. UNCW took advantage, as a double from Morgan McCann scored both Phillips and Wagner to give the Seahawks a three-run cushion.
Sophomore Kayla Margentino (Unionville, Conn./Farmington) doubled to lead off the top of the third and freshman Jane Pardo (Malverne, N.Y./Sacred Heart) dropped down a bunt to move Margentino to third. Freshman Danielle O'Neill (Loathian, Md./Southern) picked up her second RBI of the season, knocking a single into left field to put the Retrievers on the board.
UNCW sophomore pitcher Casey Rowland held UMBC scoreless over the final four innings to pick up her third victory of the season (3-2). Rowland fanned seven batters in the contest.
UMBC falls to 0-7 on the season with the pair of losses, while Morehead State improved to 2-3 and UNCW moved to 5-6. The Retrievers will have a chance to avenge both losses, as they rematch both the Eagles and the Seahawks in day two of the tournament.
