With the sweep of the Huskies, UMass Dartmouth extends its winning streak to four games improving its overall record to 8-10.  The Corsairs remain undefeated in Little East Conference action at 4-0.  Southern Maine falls to 7-11 and 1-3 in the conference.

In the first game, both teams struck for three runs a piece in the first inning.  The Huskies used three hits, an error and a wild pitch in their first at-bats to plate their three runs, including an RBI single from freshman Samantha Crosman (North Berwick, Maine/Marshwood) and a RBI grounder from rookie Danni Humphrey (Walnut Creek, Calif./Northgate).

Trailing 3-0, the Corsairs matched the Huskies on the scoreboard in the home half of the inning, collecting their three runs on one hit, two walks and one Huskies' error.  Freshman Marissa Spinuzzi's (Fair Lawn, N.J.) double to center field turned into a run on an RBI walk from freshman Chelsea Correia (Bridgewater, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham), while senior Emily Pontes' (Tewksbury, Mass./Essex Agricultural and Technical) RBI ground out made it 3-2.  Martinelli drove in the tying run with a fielder's choice grounder to even the score.

Both teams were held scoreless over the next six innings. USM collected just two hits during that stretch, while the Corsairs connected on three hits.  USM had a chance with a runner on third and one out in the top of the second after a one-out triple from freshman Amanda Henrickson-Belloguet (Friendship, Maine/Medomak Valley), but Corsair hurler sophomore Shannon Orton (Swansea, Mass./Joseph Case) got the next two outs. The Corsairs had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth after a left field single from Spinuzzi and a pair of errors gave the Corsairs a runner on third with one out, but USM rookie hurler Desiree Benner (Friendship, Maine/Medomak Valley) worked her way out of the jam to keep it 3-3.

The Corsairs again threatened in the bottom of the sixth.  A one-out double from senior Bre Marcyoniak (Westfield, Mass.) and an fielding error gave UMD runners on third and second with one out, before Husky senior Stefanie Stockwell (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle) came on in relief of Benner to get the final two outs.

Both teams were scoreless in the seventh and the Huskies' were retired by Orton in order in the top of the eighth.  In the bottom half of the inning, Marcyoniak led off with a double and Spinuzzi followed with a single to left field. After a fly out and a strikeout, Martinelli connected on the two-out game-winning single.

Benner finished the game pitching 5.1 innings for USM, allowing one earned run on four hits and five walks, while striking out six.  Stockwell took the loss in relief.  She allowed one earned run on four hits with two strikeouts.  Orton went the distance for UMD scattering four hits and three walks, over eight innings.  She struck out nine.

In the second game, Orton continued her strong pitching allowing just five hits, four walks and one earned run over seven inning while striking out 10 to lead the Corsairs to an 8-1 victory.  Orton was aided by a strong 12-hit attack, led by a five RBI effort from freshman Ally Santerre (Swansea, Mass./Joseph Case).  Santerre was 2-for-5 at the plate with a pair of two-run singles. 

Huskies' junior Kristen Duross (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) connected for USM's lone run of the game. Duross stroked a single down the left field line in the top of the third to score Crosman.  Crosman reached safely with a single extending her hitting streak to eight games.

Southern Maine hosts Husson University on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) in a non-conference doubleheader. The games will be played at Southern Maine Community College's field. UMass Dartmouth travels to Johnson & Wales (R.I.) for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).

–cac–