How It Happened
Rhode Island (4-19, 1-9 Atlantic 10) snapped a seven-game losing streak and grabbed its first Atlantic 10 victory when it blanked Massachusetts 6-0 in the nightcap of a doubleheader Wednesday. UMass (13-12, 9-7 A-10) won the opener, 12-0.
 
Game 1 – Massachusetts 12, Rhode Island 0 (5 inn.)
UMass scored six runs in the top of the first inning to break the game open immediately. The first seven batters for the Minutewomen reached safely. The big hit was a bases-loaded triple by H Bunker.

Jessie DiPasquale (10-9) handled things from there. Staked to a big lead, the UMass pitcher allowed just two hits while pitching five shutout innings. Though she didn't need more run support, Massachusetts scored a single run in the second inning and five more in the fourth inning to put the game way.
 
Game 2 – Rhode Island 6, Massachusetts 1
Rhode Island took advantage of a costly UMass error that led to five unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning. After the first two batters were retired, Cassie Swenson drew a walk. Caileigh Holland reached on an error, and Margaux Lesser singled to load the bases. Skyler Rapuano chopped a single through the right side to bring Swenson in with the first run.

Ainsley Yoshizumi followed with a single to right of her own, driving in Holland and Lesser. After a pitching change, Ari Castillo launched a double to the track in right to drive in Rapuano and Yoshizumi for a 5-0 lead.

CeCe Sidley (2-6) went to work from there, scattering eight hits and three walks. In the top of the sixth, she worked out of a jam after UMass got two runners into scoring position with one out. Sidley induced two pop outs to end the threat. The Minutewomen finally scored with one out in the seventh inning after stringing together three hit, but Sidley got a strikeout and flyout to end the contest.
 
Inside the Box Score

• CeCe Sidley provided the Rams with their first shutout of the season. She went the distance, allowing just seven hits en route to the victory. 
• Ari Castillo had three hits in the second game. She doubled twice, singled, walked and drove in two runs.
• Castillo also made a diving stop of a line drive at shortstop that turned into a double play when she caught the runner at second base staying too far off the bag.
• Skyler Rapuano singled twice, scored once and had one run batted in in the second game.
• Cassie Swenson singled, walked twice, scored a run and had one RBI in the second game.
• Caileigh Holland walked in the first game, then singled and scored in the second game.
• Ainsley Yoshizumi singled once in both games. In the second contest, she also scored once and drove in a pair.
• Vicki Viaclovsky doubled and scored a run in the second game.
• Hanna DeSousa had a double in the first game.

What's Next
Rhode Island is slated to return to Massachusetts for a four-game schedule from May 7-9. There is a chance the Rams add a midweek doubleheader at Fordham to make up games lost to COVID pauses if the teams are able to work out logistics.