MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Scranton softball team (2-2) split a pair of contests with UMass Boston (2-0) and Methodist (9-7) on the first day of action on Saturday in Myrtle Beach.

Scranton dropped a 6-2 decision to the Beacons in the first game of the day before rallying for a 7-5 victory over Methodist in the nightcap.

UMass Boston 6, Scranton 2

UMass Boston took the lead for good with two runs in the top of the fourth and later added a pair in the top of the sixth as Scranton dropped a 6-2 decision to the Beacons on Saturday afternoon in Myrtle Beach.

The Royals struck first with a run in the home half of the first inning as senior Jenna Davida (Congers, N.Y./Clarkstown North) drew a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a walk, took third on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI groundout from freshman Soleil Dooner (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks East) for a 1-0 lead.

UMass Boston then scored two in the top of the second to take a 2-1 lead before Scranton tied the game in the home half of the third as junior Jessica Stadler (Monmouth Junction, N.J./South Brunswick) reached on an error, advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches and scored when sophomore Alyssa Mosconi (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) knocked in a run with an RBI groundout.

In the top of the fourth, the Beacons used consecutive RBI triples to break the tie and take a 4-2 lead for the time being before adding the afore-mentioned pair of insurance runs.

Dooner got the start in the circle for Scranton and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits while fanning three in a complete game effort.

Bri Melchionda surrendered the two runs (one earned) on four hits and fanned 10 over 7.0 IP for the Beacons.

Scranton 7, Methodist 5

The Royals took the lead for good with a two-run inside the park homer from senior Lauren Cawley (Duryea, Pa./Scranton Prep) in the top of the sixth and added an insurance run in the seventh for a 7-5 victory.

Sophomore Hannah Keane (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) reached first to lead off the sixth for Scranton and Cawley then crushed one off the left centerfield wall to plate two runs on the play and a 6-5 lead. In the top of the seventh, Davida led off with a double to center, took third on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI single by junior Sarah Stepnowski (Monroe Twp, N.J./Monroe). 

Freshman Carley Noble (Allentown, N.J./Allentown) earned her first career win for Scranton as she allowed a run on three hits and fanned two over three innings of relief.

Alyssa Barwick (3-2) was dealt the loss for Methodist as she gave up seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits and struck out three in six plus innings.

Stepnowski opened the scoring in the first inning as she knocked in Davida with an RBI single, but the Monarchs immediately responded with a pair in the home half for an early 2-1 lead.

In the top of the third, Davida plated a run with an RBI triple, scored on Stadler's RBI double and the latter then scored on Stepnowski's RBI single for a 4-2 lead at the time. Methodist began to battle back and cut the lead to 4-3 with a run in the fourth before taking a 5-4 lead with two more runs in the fifth which set the stage for the afore-mentioned Scranton rally.

Sophomore Emma Tirollo (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional) made the start in the circle for the Royals and surrendered four runs (three earned) on three hits to go along with six strikeouts in four plus innings.

Davida matched her career-high with four hits in the contest and also scored three runs, while Stepnowski was 3-4 with three RBI in the victory.

The Royals will battle Spalding (Ky.) and TCNJ on Sunday in Myrtle Beach with first pitch set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

--ROYALS--