Brian Tedder / Collegian

The Massachusetts softball team started their home-opening weekend the way any team would want ‘- with two wins over a conference opponent. The Minutewomen swept their weekend series against St. Bonaventure

Reliable Brandice Balschmiter, didn’t have her best outing of the season, nonetheless, she was still a dominant force. The senior pitched a complete game in UMass’ 4-0 win, striking out nine while allowing only four hits in Friday’s game.

‘I think the team played pretty well, getting the win on opening day is always great,’ Balschmiter said. ‘I think I was able to change speeds on my pitches today a lot better than I have in the past. Overall, I’m happy we got the win and that’s all that matters.’

After a difficult first inning where Balschmiter struck out two batters, but allowed two hits, the senior settled down and put aside the home opener jitters behind her. Balschmiter allowed only two more hits over the next six innings.

‘I thought [the whole team had home opener jitters.] I thought we were really tight and we did our best to work our way out of it,’ UMass coach Elaine Sortino said. ‘We came up big when the situation counted, we moved the runner and we got some timely hits.’

The defense behind Balschmiter was just as reliable as her. In the top of the fourth, shortstop Whitney Williams made a diving stop on a sharp ground ball that was destined for the open outfield grass. She couldn’t get the out at first base, but the changed‘ a certain double into a single.

Williams started UMass’ fourth inning rally, leading off the inning by taking four straight balls from St. Bonaventure (2-16, 0-4 Atlantic 10) pitcher Sherri Thompson. Whitney Mollica followed up by laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Williams to second base. Sarah Reeves then hit a line drive to St. Bonaventure second baseman Andrea Swanger, who bobbled the ball, which prevented any play at either base.

After a seven pitch at bat Michelle Libby doubled off the right field wall driving in both Williams and Reeves.

The following inning UMass (14-6, 4-0 Atlantic 10) added to their lead.

Kyllie Magill led off the inning with a double to right field and scored after Carly Normandin singled to centerfield.

Libby drove in UMass’ fourth run in the sixth inning.

In Saturday’s game, the Minutewomen gave the ball to freshman Sarah Plourde. She had one of her best outings of the season, pitching five innings, striking out 12 batters and allowing only two earned runs en route to a 10-2 victory.

‘I thought I moved my pitches around really well and the defense in the back ‘hellip; it just didn’t matter if anyone got a hit [because] the defense is going to make the plays,’ Plourde said.

After playing their first 21 games on the road, Plourde spoke for the rest of her teammates on how they felt after playing their first series at home.

‘It feels amazing versus being on the road,’ Plourde said. ‘It’s so different being with your own crowd. There’s definitely nothing better.’

The first inning proved to be trouble for Plourde, too, but catcher Meghan Carta made sure the Bonnies would stay off the board, throwing out Shelly Seeger when she tried to steal second.

At the bottom of the inning, UMass got on the board after a nice heads-up play by Normandin. After singling to right field, Normandin stole second after noticing that pitcher Erin Nargi’s attention was elsewhere.

The next batter Magill laid down a bunt, intending to move Normandin to third base. Nargi’s throw to first base was low and skipped by Maureen Wells allowing Normandin to score.

Like Balschmiter, Plourde settled down immediately after the first inning. The freshman struck out the side in the second and third inning.

Samantha Salato provided all the offense the Minutemen would need driving in five RBIs on the day hitting a bases loaded triple in the second inning extending UMass’ lead to 7-0.

Salato hit a home run later in the fourth inning, only two batters after Magill sent one over the fence.

The game was called after the fifth inning with UMass leading 10-2.

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Sortino was hit with a line drive in the second inning and was immediately brought to the hospital. She walked off the field on her own accord.

Ryan Fleming can be reached at rfleming@dailycollegian.com.