VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

BALTIMORE – UMBC softball's freshman outfielder Jaclyn Buckley (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Camden Regional) hit a team-best .714 (5-for-7) on day one of the UMBC Dawg Pound Invitational, including the game-winning hit in extra innings that gave the Retrievers a 2-1 victory against Rhode Island in the day's final game. The Retrievers also defeated Drexel, 3-0, on Friday afternoon at the UMBC Softball Stadium.

The Retrievers had four different players drive in runs on the day, while UMBC's pitching staff allowed just one earned run in 15 innings to help the black and gold improve to 16-5 on the year.

UMBC and Drexel (5-10) combined for eight hits in the day's second contest, with the Retrievers scoring three runs on five hits. The black and gold drew six walks in the game, but stranded nine batters on base.

UMBC jumped on the board first, scoring freshman pitcher Jessica Holte (Ashland, Va./Atlee) on a single to left field from junior catcher Taylor Hall (Cosby, Va./Cosby) in the bottom of the third inning.

The Retrievers loaded the bases against starting pitcher Tara Konopka in the bottom of the fourth inning and were able to cash in a pair of runs in the frame. Senior Caitlin Chance (Easton, Md./Easton) reached base on a fielder's choice, freshman Kelly Lane (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central) singled through the right side of the infield and Holte walked to load the bases for sophomore Danielle O'Neill (Lothian, Md./Southern). O'Neill reached on an error to move everyone a base and sophomore Bridget O'Malley (Brooklyn, Md./Seton Keough) followed with a walk to give the Retrievers a 3-0 advantage.

Holte (10-1) threw the complete-game shutout, the first of her career, for her 10th win of the season. Holte surrendered three hits and struck out two batters. Konopka falls to 1-5 on the year after allowing one earned run on five hits and walking six batters.

The Retrievers tallied 10 hits in game two, but it took extra innings for UMBC and Rhode Island to decide the final contest of the day.

In game two, a play at the plate in the opening inning went in favor of Rhode Island and gave the Rams an early 1-0 lead. Freshman Danielle Gariglio opened the contest with a single and moved into scoring position on a hit batter. A single to right field from sophomore Taylor Archer set up a play at the plate, on a throw from senior Megan Sauble (Glen Burnie, Md./CCBC-Catonsville), but Hall was unable to put the tag on.

UMBC tied up the contest in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Retrievers coupled three straight singles with a Rhode Island throwing error to even the score at one apiece. Starting pitcher Ashley Dumoulin would end her day after surrendering the lead, allowing one unearned run on seven hits.  

Hall reached base for the third time on the day in the bottom of the eighth inning, singling through the right side of the infield. Senior Chelsea Bertoglio (Laguna Hills, Calif./Laguna Hills/Saddleback College) walked to put runners on first and second and Buckley followed with her fourth hit of the contest into right field to score the Retrievers' winning run off of reliever Sam Bedore (1-3). Bedore allowed one earned run on three hits in 3.2 innings.

UMBC freshman pitcher Nicole Casagrand (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) picked up her third win of the season, after allowing one earned run on five hits in eight innings.

The Retrievers continue action at the Dawg Pound Invitational with a game against Niagara at 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 15 at the UMBC Softball Stadium.  

Tournament Schedule (as of 3/12/14)
Saturday, March 15
9:30 a.m.          Rhode Island vs. Hampton
11:30 a.m.         Niagara vs. Rhode Island
1:45 p.m.          UMBC vs. Niagara
3:45 p.m.          Drexel vs. Hampton
Sunday, March 16
9:30 a.m.          Niagara vs. Drexel
11:30 p.m.        Hampton vs. Niagara
1:45 p.m.          UMBC vs. Drexel
3:45 p.m.          UMBC vs. Hampton