There is no love lost between Boston College and UMass.
That was evident yesterday as the Massachusetts softball team battled to a 2-0 victory over the Eagles at the UMass Softball Complex.
The Minutewomen (24-11, 6-0 Atlantic 10) were putting their 46-game home winning streak on the line against BC (20-14, 7-1 Big East). At the 5 p.m. start, the game felt like the spring fever of softball season had returned. About an hour later, the field was filled with heavy winds, making the last four innings almost unbearable.
“Our kids did a good job, especially after the loss to Connecticut,” UMass coach Elaine Sortino said. “We came in tired, but still did what we came to do. I thought we got a great performance from Kaila. She pitched so well that the defense didn’t have to do much.”
Kaila Holtz, who recorded her sixth shutout of the season, turned in another dominating performance. The senior scattered four hits, didn’t allow a walk for the second straight game and had six strikeouts. Holtz improved her record to 12-6 while lowering her earned run average to 0.93.
Holtz also drove in the first UMass run – the only one she would need to hold off the Eagles. After a bloop single from Brandi Cross, Holtz sliced a double into the right-center field gap to get Cross home all the way from first.
The Maroon and White is now 1-1 against Big East teams. On Tuesday, it suffered its first loss in 14 games to UConn. The win over BC gives UMass a moral boost heading to Dayton on Saturday.
“We needed to play well today to prepare for this crucial weekend,” Sortino said. “[We’re] coming down the stretch. A good, solid performance today helps us breath and gives us a day off. [They] can get their studies done and rest, so it’s good.”
Though Holtz didn’t give the defense much work, outfielder Denise Denis still made an eye-opening catch worthy of the title “Web Gem.” With one out and a runner on second, BC hitter Jacqui Goodchild sent a shot down the left field line. Denis sprinted to the ball, making a diving catch as she crashed hard into the fence. After the collision, she still managed to get to her feet and throw out the runner tagging from second base.
UMass would add another run after BC outfielder Goodchild made a spectacular diving catch of her own to repay Denis. With BC now having the momentum, Jamie Cahalan launched a pitch over the right field fence. The homer added an insurance run, extending the Minutewomen’s lead to 2-0 after four innings. Cahalan had been in a slump of late, but she seemed to be more confident and in good spirits.
“It felt good to finally get a good piece of the ball,” said Cahalan, who has two dingers on the year. “I’ve been struggling the last couple days, but she put it right in there for me. So, I guess I can thank her.”
