Stony Brook, N.Y. – Junior Toni Santonastasso (Canonsburg, Pa./Pope John XXIII Regional) hit a sixth inning three-run homer and senior Kaelin Jackson (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) followed later in the inning with a two-run shot of her own as the UMBC Softball Team (16-20, 2-3 America East) rallied for a 5-3 win over host Stony Brook (7-18, 3-2 America East) on Sunday. 

The victory gave UMBC its first series victory over the Seawolves since a three-game sweep on Long Island in 2011. 

The Retrievers were led in the circle by junior Kim Puccio (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) and senior Jessica Holte (Ashland, Va./Atlee). Puccio started the game and tossed five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out one to earn her seventh win of the season. Holte finished the game, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two to earn her second save of the season.

The Retrievers and Seawolves both began the game scoreless through the first four and a half innings. 

The Seawolves would break into the run column first in the bottom of the fifth off a two-run homerun. 

The Retrievers would respond quickly, with a clutch three-run homerun by Santonastasso to gain the lead, after classmates Tori Alexander (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge Senior) and Carly Lesko (New Milford N.J./New Milford) reached base to lead off the inning with a single and a walk respectively.  Kelly Lane (Albany, N.Y./Colonie Central) would draw a walk right after, and her classmate Jackson would bring her home with a two-run homer to increase the lead to three runs.

Stony Brook scored one more in the bottom of the sixth off a homerun, but Holte bounced back to finish the game scoreless from there. 

Puccio pitched 12 innings in the series, allowing just one earned run, while striking out 10 and walking none. 

The Retrievers will return home for a double-header on Wednesday against Maryland Eastern Shore, with the first game scheduled to begin at 2 PM at UMBC Softball Stadium.