Baltimore, Md. -- The UMBC Softball team (11-5) begins its defense of its 2019 America East title when it welcomes Binghamton to The Diamond to open America East play this weekend. The series will feature a pair of noon doubleheaders, with the final game of the series counting as a non-conference contest.
The Retrievers returned from a one-week pause last Friday and proceeded to split with Villanova. After dropping the first game, UMBC took the second one, 5-2, to put an end to the BIG EAST leader's 11-game winning streak.
Maddie Daigneau (New River, Ariz.) went 3-for-4, Logan Hawker (Mechanicsville, Va.) hit a two-run homer and Courtney Coppersmith (York, Pa.) struck out 13 in a complete game performance.
Coppersmith was later named the America East Pitcher of the Week.
Daigneau, batting leadoff, leads the team in several offensive categories. Her .444 average, 20 hits, 19 runs and eight stolen bases are all team-bests.
Scouting Binghamton:
The Bearcats enter the weekend at 4-4, including a 1-4 mark in America East play. They swept a pair (one non-conference) last Sunday against UAlbany.
Sara Herskowitz has a team-high .294 average, while Sophia Papas leads Binghamton with seven RBI and .429 OBP.
Chelsea Howard anchors the Bearcat rotation, with a 1-0 record and 1.80 ERA in four appearances (two starts). Rayn Gibson is 2-2 with a 3.87 ERA in four appearances (three starts).
The bleachers at The Diamond are closed. Fans may view the game from the hill on the first base side, adjacent to the field. Spectators may access the fan area from the entrance to the stadium complex in the BW Tech Park parking lot. All other entrances are closed to spectators.
