 "Photo: Brian Tedder/Collegian")
In the top of the seventh inning the Massachusetts softball team looked to be headed for its first loss in the Atlantic 10 against St. Bonaventure on Sunday, but sophomore Carly Normandin wasn't about to let that happen.
With two outs and UMass trailing, 1-0, Normandin hit a double to left field, scoring two runs and giving UMass its first lead of the game. Normandin went 2-for-3 in Game 2 after going 3-for-3 in Game 1. Sophomore pitcher Bailey Sanders finished off the Bonnies in order in the bottom of the seventh to complete the comeback in Game 2. It was the first time all season that UMass trailed against an A-10 opponent.
The 20th-ranked Minutewomen (36-11, 20-0 A-10) easily defeated the Bonnies in Game 1, 11-0. Junior pitcher Brandice Balschmiter tossed her fifth no-hitter of the season. Normandin and sophomore catcher Jessica Serio both went 3-for-3 and knocked in two runs.
In Game 1, UMass jumped to an early lead in the first inning when junior third baseman Whitney Mollica hit a two-run homer off senior Brianna Bricker. Sophomore catcher Jessica Serio singled in the third run to give UMass an early 3-0 lead.
That would be enough for Balschmiter, who fanned seven through five innings. Balschmiter walked the first batter of the game, junior Kathryn Pazda, but Balschmiter picked her off. She then walked the next batter; the Bonnies, however, would not see another base runner.
In the second inning, a combination of errors and walks doomed the Bonnies as UMass placed four runs on the board. Senior left fielder Lauren Proctor walked to load the bases. Mollica hit a pop-out and junior second baseman Carly Morin tagged up to score the fourth run. Junior Samantha Salato walked to reload the bases and sophomore first baseman Sarah Reeves delivered a two-out single to drive in two runs.
The Minutewomen added four more runs in the fifth inning. Junior Whitney Williams hit a two-run home run to left field - her sixth of the season - to put UMass in position to win in a five-inning mercy rule.
In Game 2, UMass had nine hits, but had trouble getting runners to cross the plate. Bonnies' ace, sophomore Sherri Thompson, came one out away from throwing a complete game shutout. In the bottom of the seventh UMass trailed, 1-0. Reeves grounded out to the shortstop for the first out. Serio started the rally when she singled through the right side and junior Davina Hernandez came in to pinch run. Freshman Lindsay Maroney popped out and UMass came down to its final out. Morin kept the inning alive with a single up the middle and set the stage for Normandin.
Sanders threw a complete game, allowing one run on four hits, while striking out five. Sanders allowed one extra base hit, a double, which scored the Bonnies lone run of the day.
UMass has now won 26 straight games, 38 in A-10 play. UMass is headed to Charlotte, N.C., where it will be the No. 1 seed in the A-10 Tournament.
Steve Games can be reached at sgames@dailycollegian.com.
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