BALTIMORE, Md. – UMBC banged out five runs in the fifth inning to pull away to a 10-1 final over Lafayette softball on Sunday in the final round of the UMBC Spring Invite.
 
The hosts struck first, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second off Lafayette starting pitcher Morrigan Gardiner. Casey Turner and Courtney Coopersmith each singled in runs as UMBC led 3-0.
 
Lafayette got on the board at the start of the third inning. Kaya Ciccone-Cozart smashed an 0-1 offering over the fence in straightaway center to cut the deficit to 3-1. It was her first collegiate home run and the Leopards' third of the season. Lafayette threatened for more, loading the bases with one out before UMBC starter Madison O'Berg induced a foul out and a ground out to end the inning.
 
UMBC loaded the bases in the top of the fourth aided by a couple of Leopard errors, but Gardiner was able to work out of the jam, striking out Karly Keating to end the inning.
 
The Retrievers added two more runs on four hits in the fourth inning and led 5-1. They put away the game with five runs in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a bases-loaded, two-run double by Sierra Pierce and a subsequent three-run home run by Logan Hawker that ran the final to 10-1.
 
Gardiner struck out two while allowing 10 runs on 13 hits with four walks. O'Berg captured the win, holding the Leopards to one run on four hits.
 
Lafayette will play its first home contests of the season on Wednesday, hosting Fairleigh Dickinson for a doubleheader that begins at 3 p.m.