Baltimore, Md – The UMBC Softball team looks to keep its momentum rolling from Wednesday's win as they host the UMBC Retriever Classic this weekend. The tournament begins a season-long 16 game homestand for the Retrievers.
UMBC (6-14) will kickoff the tournament with a doubleheader against Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday, with the first pitch of game one scheduled for noon. They will then continue their tournament play with another doubleheader on Sunday, this time against Rider, with the game one first pitch scheduled at noon as well.
UMBC is coming off an 11-3, six inning win at Howard on Wednesday night. The Retrievers outhit the Lady Bison 16-6, as freshman Maddie Daigneau (New River, Ariz./Boulder Creek) and junior Tori Alexander (Woodbridge, Va/Woodbrideg Senior) both went 4-for-4. Daigneau continues to lead the team in batting average, as she is hitting .415. Kaelin Jackson (Export, Pa/Franklin Regional) is bringing the power for the team as she leads in home runs (two) and RBIs (eight). In the circle, Kim Puccio (Spart, N.J./Sparta) and Nicole Casagrand (Melbourne, Fla/Hatboro-Horsham) are tied for the lead in wins on the team with two. Puccio is also leading the team in ERA with a 2.97.
Scouting the Lady Hawks
Eastern Shore (1-7) have been on a two week break from play. There last time out was down in South Carolina as they played in the Willie Jewell's Invitational Tournament, where they were winless. At the plate, the Lady Hawks are being lead by Samantha Casarez, hitting .364 with a home run and a team leading three RBIs. Their pitching staff is lead by Erin Hallman, who is 1-3 with a 6.51 ERA on the season.
Scouting the Broncs
Rider (0-9) will be entering the tournament after being down in North Carolina last weekend at the Campbell Tournament, where they went 0-4. They are being lead in hitting by senior Delany DeMello, who is hitting .385, and freshman Shelby Miller, who has a team high three RBIs. Kaitlyn Kallert heads the pitching staff, with an 0-2 record and a 3.77 ERA.
UMBC Retriever Classic Schedule
Saturday, March 11th, 2017
12:00 pm – vs Eastern Shore
2:30 pm – vs Eastern Shore
Sunday, March 12th, 2017
12:00 pm – vs Rider
2:30 pm – vs Rider
