BOSTON - Despite a late surge in the top of the seventh, led by Brooke Kane-Walker's RBI single and a pass ball that allowed Alexandra Deal to bring the Bonnies within one, the St. Bonaventure University softball team was unable to capitalize against UMass Sunday afternoon in the first two games of conference play. The Bonnies fell to the Minutewomen in the first game 5-1, followed by a 5-4 defeat in games moved to Boston University due to poor field conditions at UMass.

Game 1 – UMass 5, St. Bonaventure 1
The Minutewomen's first run came from a wild pitch with the bases loaded. Pitcher Rylee Hehir was able to minimize the damage until the bottom of the fifth when back-to-back doubles by Kaitlyn Stavinoha and Caycee Carbone added three runs on the board for UMass. Hannah Bunker's single into left field allowed Carbone to cross the plate, giving the Minutewomen a 5-0 advantage.

The Bonnies' only run of the game resulted from Alexandra Deal's triple into right center. Mikayla Short grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Deal to cross the plate.

Hehir got the start for the Bonnies in the first game, striking out two UMass batters while allowing only three hits before running into trouble and being replaced by Alyssa Yungwirth for the final two innings of work.

Game 2 – UMass 5, St. Bonaventure 4
UMass again started fast in the late game.

After scoring on a fielder's choice, Erin Stacevicz hit a two-run double into left field, followed by Kaitlyn Stavinoha's two-run double into the same spot, which put the Minutewomen up 5-0 in the bottom of the fourth. 

The Bonnies battled back in the late innings.

Abigail Stone was the first batter up at the top of the fifth and she lit fire for the offense by hitting a single up the middle. Abby Borkowski followed with a single and a double into right off the bat of Kaitlin Caringi had the Bonnies in business. A passed ball and single by Brooke Kane-Walker allowed SBU to put two on the board before closing out the inning.

Bona would put the tying run into scoring position with a rally effort in the seventh.

In the final inning, Kane-Walker delivered an RBI single which brought Borkowski in. Deal was able to bring the Bonnies within one when she scored on a passed ball. Kane-Walker stood at second with one away, but back-to-back strikeouts from UMass pitcher Kiara Oliver, who entered the game following Kane-Walker's single, put out the fire.

The Bonnies next travel to at Youngstown State Wednesday afternoon for a non-conference double header with game one scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

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