Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Softball looks to continue torrid streak against Fairfield

The Massachusetts softball team looks to continue its winning ways today as it takes on Fairfield at the UMass Softball Complex.

The Minutewomen (27-11, 13-0 Atlantic 10) head into today’s contest fresh off a double-header sweep of the Rhode Island on Tuesday, increasing their winning streak to a season-long 11 games.

UMass has now won 16 of its last 17 games,  clinching a spot in the A-10 postseason tournament and currently holding the top spot in the conference.

In the first game of Tuesday’s double-header, the Minutewomen had to overcome an early deficit in order to pull out a close 5-4 victory. Tuesday’s game marked the first time in the last six contests that UMass was involved in a game decided by less than two runs.

“For us it is just about playing the game consistently, whether we are ahead or behind,” said UMass coach Elaine Sortino.

The Stags (24-23, 6-4 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) have gone 6-3 in their last nine games, but are coming off a tough 3-2 letdown to Sacred Heart on Tuesday.

Fairfield is looking to avenge a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Minutewomen last season. As was the case last season, UMass enters today’s game against Fairfield riding a long winning streak that the Stags are looking to end.

The Minutewomen have recently been led by the hot bats of Tiffany Meeks and Quianna Diaz-Patterson, who both seem to have hit their strides at the plate.

Diaz-Patterson had five hits in Tuesday’s double-header to go along with three RBIs and a stolen base. She is hitting a solid .367, with 34 RBIs and 27 runs scored this season.

Meeks comes in as the reigning A-10 Player of the Week, hitting .500, with eight hits, one home run, and 10 RBIs over the past seven games. She still only has a batting average of .190 despite her solid numbers over the past week, but has improved her slugging percentage to .418.

“Over the course of the season we have seen [Meeks’] game improve across the board,” said Sortino.  “It was only a matter of time.  She is a prolific hitter.”

The Minutewomen are expected to have All-American pitcher Sara Plourde in the circle for tomorrow’s game. Plourde is looking to improve on her 26-9 record.  The Bristol, Conn., native has been in the circle throughout UMass’ 11-game winning streak, and coming down the stretch that is not expected to change.

As for Fairfield, it comes in being led by Kristen Filicia and Alli Wigand.  Filicia is the team’s top hitter, hitting at an impressive .329 average, with 32 runs scored and 11 RBIs.  Wigand is right behind her, hitting .311 on the season, with 20 runs scored, 28 RBIs and three home runs.

Unlike the Minutewomen, the Stags don’t have a clear-cut No. 1 pitcher. However, they have gotten solid performances out of both Rebecca Trott and Rae Ball out of the circle.  Trott enters today’s game with a 13-12 record and a 2.47 earned run average, while Ball is 11-9 with a 3.45 ERA.

UMass enters today’s game atop the A-10, but is being closely watched by Fordham, which sits at 13-1 in conference play.

While on this impressive winning streak, the Minutewomen have faced each team’s toughest test, but have not succumbed to the pressure of having a target on its back.

“There has not really been any change in our game during this streak.  We take it one game at a time,” said Sortino.

Today’s game is the sixth of the UMass’ season-long nine-game home-stand,  and come into today’s contest with a perfect 9-0 record at home.

First pitch for today’s game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the UMass Softball Complex.

Patrick Strohecker can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at MDC_Strohecker.

 

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All Massachusetts Daily Collegian Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *