May 10, 2008

Box Score View the CBS College Sports Post-Game Interviews  | Championship Highlights (CBS College Sports) 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The UMass softball team is heading back to the NCAA Tournament after the Minutewomen won their 29th game in a row to capture the Atlantic 10 Championship with a 3-0 win over Charlotte on Saturday. Brandice Balschmiter tossed a three-hit shutout as she struck out 10 49ers. UMass freshmen Audrey Boutin and Lindsay Maroney, both playing in their first-ever A-10 Tournament Championship, were the offensive heroes Saturday driving in all three runs on back-to-back hits in the bottom of the fourth. If you want to watch Saturday's title win, it will be replayed on Saturday night at 8 p.m. on CBS College Sports. UMass will learn its NCAA opponent and location on Sunday at 10 p.m. on ESPNU and ESPNews.

Maroney led the Minutewomen offensively going 2-for-3 with a RBI in the game.

Balschmiter (28-6), who was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament, held Charlotte to just three hits in seven complete innings in the circle, striking out 10 of 24 batters and walking none. The Massachusetts defense allowed the 49ers to reach past first base only once, coming in the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles from Serena Smith and Jaime West.

After three and a half innings of scoreless play, The Minutewomen would capitalize on a three-run four hit bottom of the fourth inning. After junior Samantha Salato reached on a walk, she was pushed to second by a sophomore Sarah Reeves with single through the left side. Maroney would come through on the next at-bat with two outs sending a hit up the middle scoring pinch-runner sophomore Jill Andrews for a 1-0 lead. Freshman Audrey Boutin, would make a pinch hit appearance on the ensuing at-bat and sent a rocket up the middle scoring Reeves from third and Maroney from second for the 3-0 lead. The appearance by Boutin was her first at-bat since March 13 against Temple, and just her 21st on the season.

Balschmiter would go on to retire eight of the next nine batters for Charlotte en route to her 28th win of the season.

Charlotte pitcher's Katy Hackett and Gina Allen held UMass to just five hits the entire game, but the Minutewomen took advantage of the four of them in the fourth inning getting the three runs.

2008 ATLANTIC 10 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Brandice Balschmiter Massachusetts, Pitcher (Most Outstanding Player) Sarah Reeves - Massachusetts, First Base Sarah Malene - Charlotte, Second Base Whitney Williams - Massachusetts, Shortstop Meghan Shager - Fordham, Outfield Whitney Williams - Charlotte, Outfield Lindsay Maroney - Massachusetts, Designated Player Serena Smith - Charlotte, Outfield Mary Beth Puccio - Fordham, Designated Player Allison Twaroski - Fordham, Pitcher/Third Base Emily Jeffery - Charlotte, Pitcher