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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Alicia Aughton did it all for the Explorers on Thursday afternoon, leading the Blue and Gold to a 3-0 victory over conference rival Massachusetts with a walk-off three-run homer to center field in the bottom of the seventh. The win improved the Explorers conference record to 7-2, solidifying their hold on second place in the A-10 standings.
 
"When I hit it I thought it was just a pop up and I was hoping it would be far enough to get the run home," Aughton said postgame. "When I saw it go over the fence joy just came over me."
 
The home run was a fitting conclusion for Aughton (W, 9-7) who pitched her heart out against one of the Atlantic 10's top offenses. She threw a gem, going the distance, while limiting the Minutewomen to just two hits and one walk. The junior fanned four over seven spotless frames, stretching her consecutive scoreless innings pitched streak to 14.
 
"What we saw today is the stuff you dream about as a little girl hoping to play college softball," head coach Ron Shoemaker said. "Pitching a seven inning shutout against a storied program like UMass and then hitting a walk-off home run to win it, that's storybook stuff right there."
 
The pitchers duel looked inevitable from the outset, as UMass sent Caroline Raymond (L, 7-9) to the circle. She has been a consistent force for the Minutewomen this season, earning A-10 Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this season. She danced in and out of trouble all game, but her resolve was unquestioned in the crucial moments. She stymied the Explorers through six innings, allowing six hits and three walks, while whiffing ten.
 
It looked as though La Salle (15-14; 7-2 A-10) was going to break through numerous times against Raymond. They loaded the bases in the second and fifth innings, while they got runners on second and third in the fourth and sixth, but each time Raymond came up with the big pitches to keep the game scoreless.
 
The fifth inning was particularly interesting, as Aughton stepped to the dish with a chance to help her cause with two outs and the bases juiced. She worked the count, before being caught looking on a change up that grazed the inside black of the plate.
 
"It was really hard to take that one," Aughton said. "I just stood in the dugout and took a few deep breaths to collect my thoughts."
 
Her mettle was immediately tested in the next half inning. UMass (10-16; 4-3 A-10) pushed a runner to third base for the first time in the game.  The conference's leading hitter Quianna Diaz-Patterson reached base on a fielders choice with two-outs. She proceeded to steal second and reached third on a throwing error. Aughton did not blink though, stranding the runner with a ground out to Moran to end the inning.
 
"That was big for me," Aughton remarked. "It was hard to get that at-bat the previous inning, but I think I did a good job separating the two and getting my focus back to pitch."
 
In a battle of wills, Raymond finally was the first one to blink in the home half of the seventh. Megan Hodgson (1-4, R) led off the inning with single down the third base line. After Suzanne Swanicke lined out to first base, Christina Bascara (2-2, 3B, 2HBP, R) was hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second. Aughton wasted little time getting a second opportunity to win her game. She launched the first pitch from Raymond over the center field fence, sending the Explorers into frenzy.
 
The teams will rematch tomorrow afternoon in the second game of this two game set at 3:00 PM at West Campus Field.
 
"I know these girls will be right back out here ready to play tomorrow," Shoemaker said.