Assumption 9, Mercy 0
Box Score
THE TLDR
- Assumption defeated Mercy University, 9-0 in five innings, in the winner-take-all “if necessary” game to claim the NCAA Regional Championship.
- The victory marks the first regional title in Assumption softball program history.
- Assumption exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to put the game away.
- Maddy Bland led the offense with four RBIs, including a three-run triple.
- Kaelin Waldron threw a complete-game two-hit shutout as the Greyhounds advanced in the NCAA Tournament.
Assumption captured its first NCAA Regional Championship in program history on Sunday afternoon, dominating Mercy University, 9-0, in five innings in the winner-take-all “if necessary” game in Rindge, New Hampshire. The victory sends the Greyhounds to the next stage of the NCAA Tournament and marks a historic milestone for the program with its first-ever regional title.
With everything on the line, Assumption delivered in every phase of the game. The Greyhounds struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Bianca Vincequere lined an RBI single through the right side to score Emma Bloom and give Assumption a 1-0 lead. From there, the offense steadily built momentum while Kaelin Waldron kept Mercy off balance in the circle.
Assumption added two more runs in the third inning after Maddy Bland ripped an RBI single up the middle before Bella Mara followed with an RBI single of her own to extend the lead to 3-0. The Greyhounds then broke the game wide open in the fourth inning with a six-run explosion.
After loading the bases, Kaylee Lacomb drove in a run on a fielder’s choice before Bland delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon, crushing a three-run triple to center field to push the advantage to 7-0. Mara followed with an RBI triple of her own, and Emma Bloom capped the scoring with a sacrifice bunt that brought home Assumption’s ninth run.
Waldron was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just two hits and striking out two across five innings. Mercy threatened only a handful of times as Assumption’s defense consistently came through in key moments.
Bland finished with two hits and four RBIs to lead the offensive attack, while Mara added two hits and two RBIs. Vincequere collected two hits and drove in a run, and Kaitlyn Cahill scored twice in the championship-clinching victory.
After battling through the regional bracket and forcing the decisive final game, Assumption saved its best performance for last. The Greyhounds’ dominant win not only secured the regional crown, but also etched this team into program history as the first Assumption softball squad to win an NCAA Regional Championship.
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