BALTIMORE, Md. – UMBC captured both afternoon games of the Friday doubleheader that kicked off the UMBC Spring Invite, winning 8-1 and 8-7.
 
In the first game, Harlie Bickett delivered the Leopards' only run, doubling home Natasha Miner who had reached via a two-out walk. That tied the game at 1-1.
 
UMBC split the game open with seven runs on seven hits in the fourth inning as the Retrievers sent 12 batters to the plate. The rally knocked Leopard starter Jacqueline Cal from the game. Morrigan Gardiner threw the final 2.2 innings and did not give up an earned run on four hits with a strikeout. 
 
UMBC starter Kya Matter held Lafayette to two hits in the game while striking out 13 batters.
 
In game two, Lafayette trailed 6-1 going into the sixth inning with Grace Harvey's first-inning double scoring Miner (lead-off double) to account for the Leopards' run.
 
In the sixth, Lafayette broke out for six runs on three hits with two UMBC errors. Erica Brasher (2-run single), Bickett (RBI-single), Harvey (sac fly) and Julia Roman (RBI-double) all drove in runs in the inning as Lafayette took a 7-6 lead.
 
The hosts tied the game at 7-7 on a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth and then claimed a walk-off win via Zoe Russell's solo home run to lead off the seventh.
 
Kinzi Van Wyk took the loss, allowing eight runs on 12 hits with two strikeouts. Matter collected the win in relief.
 
Lafayette returns to action on Saturday playing Quinnipiac and Towson at noon and 2 p.m., respectively.