The UMBC Softball team begins its home schedule by hosting Niagara and Saint Francis for a pair of doubleheaders beginning on Saturday. The action begins at noon on both days.

Last time out, Junior Emily Riggs came off the bench in the seventh inning and blasted the first pitch she saw over the fence to give the UMBC Softball team a dramatic come-from-behind, 4-3, win over host East Carolina on Saturday.

Earlier in the morning, a young Retriever lineup fell to Radford, 6-0.

Haley Luginbill hit a two-out two-run homer in the top of the fifth to tie the game at three. UMBC took a 1-0 lead in the third after they loaded the bases on an Amya Lundy single, Erin Behel hit-by-pitch and Phoebe Florian walk. Ella Squaires then drove in Lundy with an RBI ground out to second. The Pirates then responded in the bottom half of the inning with a two-out three-run homer, before Luginbill and Rigg's blasts later on completed the scoring.

Jerzie Nutile picked up the win in her first start of the season, going all seven innings, striking out a pair and allowing five hits and just one walk. 

Kya Matter went 2-for-3 at the plate for her second straight game, while Jolie Torrens also added a hit. Parker Kraus came into pinch-run and stole a base, as well. 

In game one, Torrens, Luginbill and Amaya Carroll all singled for the Retrievers. Isabella DiGiandomenico made the start and struck out a career-best four batters in 6.1 innings of work. Bella Nunn entered in the seventh to make her collegiate debut, after allowing a hit, she got the next two batters out to strand the bases loaded.

 Saturday, February 22, 2025
Opponent: Niagara
Times: 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
Location: Baltimore, MD /  The Diamond at UMBC
Series History:

• Overall Record: UMBC leads 14-9
• First Meeting: March 30, 2004 - UMBC won 6-5
• Last Meeting: March 16, 2024 – Niagara won 9-6

Game Notes:

• Season Opener: Saturday's double header will be the first games for Niagara this season.
• Niagara Purple Eagles: Coming off a successful 2024 season, where they went 29-24, including going 16-7 in the MAAC.

Sunday, February 23, 2025
Opponent: Saint Francis University
Time: 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM
Location: Baltimore, MD / The Diamond at UMBC
Series History:

• Overall Record: UMBC leads 14-7
• First Meeting: April 26, 2001 - SFU won 9-1
• Last Meeting: March 2, 2013 - UMBC lost 8-1
• Game Notes:
• SFU has played in two tournaments so far this season, going 1-7.

Players to Watch:  Savannah Nash, who leads the team in BA with .429, and leads the team in hits with 9.