PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle softball team fell 5-4 in the series finale at Massachusetts on Sunday after an offensive surge from the Minutewomen in the middle innings at Sortino Field.
 
La Salle led 3-0 early before UMass scored four runs between the 2^nd and 3^rd innings to take a one-run lead. Suzanne Swanicke tied the game at 4-4 with an RBI double in the 5^th but the Minutewomen took the lead for good on Ashton Wince's RBI single off Reilly Gearhart (L, 5-10) in the home half of the inning.
 
The Explorers had a runner in scoring position in the both the 6^th and 7^th innings but couldn't get the tying run home against Meg Colleran (W, 15-10). Swanicke and Refice had two hits apiece on the afternoon.
 
La Salle got out to a hot start, scoring three runs in the 2^nd inning thanks to three straight hits. Michelle Hagarty got the scoring going with an RBI double, Lindsey Gaines singled home a run and Angelina Refice had an RBI double to cap the scoring.  
 
La Salle returns home this week as they host Rider on Wednesday afternoon at 3 PM at West Campus Field.