Down but not out

Softball
Joe Meloni

After a rough first inning, the Massachusetts softball team leads BU, 6-2, at the end of the fourth inning.

With two on and two out in the bottom of the fourth, Amanda Morin was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A passed ball scored Samantha Salato from third base to make it 4-2. A Candice Molinari walked reloaded the bases for Stacy Cullngton.

Cullington lined a 2-1 pitch over the left-field wall to give UMass the lead. It is her second grand slam of the season. The homer increases her team-leading total to 11 and her 42 RBIs also lead the team.

Cullington has been sensational for the Minutewomen this season. Before the season started, sophomore third baseman Whitney Mollica projected as the big bat in the middle of the UMass batting order. Her second season in Amherst just hasn't gone as she, and fans of the Minutewomen, would have hoped.

Pitching is obviously the most important aspect of a softball team, but Cullington's timely hitting has vaulted the Minutewomen in the last month. Her presence in the heart of the UMass batting order makes life difficult for opposition pitchers.

If Mollica's struggles continue, Cullington's dominance will need to follow suit if the Minutewomen plan to make some noise in the A-10 Tournament and beyond.