DAYTON - The University of Dayton softball team will close out the home portion of its 2022 schedule with a three-game Atlantic 10 Conference series against Massachusetts. The Flyers and Minutewomen will play two games Saturday followed by a single game Sunday. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. both days and admission is free.

Prior to Saturday's first game, the Flyers will recognize their senior team members for Senior Day and Dayton softball alumnae will be recognized prior to the start of Saturday's second game.

SCOUTING MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts (18-25, 11-7 A-10) had its midweek home game against Dartmouth cancelled on Wednesday but took a 2-1 Atlantic 10 series win over Saint Joseph's April 23-24. The Minutewomen are paced by Payge Suggs with a .344 average (10th A-10) and Bella Pantoja (.315) with 46 hits (6th A-10) and 11 stolen bases (10th A-10). In the circle for UMass Jessie DiPasquale (10-11) carries the team's low ERA of 3.58 over 135.0 innings pitched with 110 strikeouts (2nd A-10). Heading into the weekend, Massachusetts is in fifth place in the A-10 team standings.

ABOUT DAYTON
Dayton (16-20, 9-8 A-10) claimed two wins over visiting Purdue Fort Wayne Wednesday, downing the Mastodons 10-6 and 7-5. In its last A-10 series, Dayton took two of three from Saint Louis at Billiken Sports Center April 15-16 and the Flyers are in sixth place in league team standings. Freshman Emma Schutter leads the team with her .400 average (1st A-10), 48 hits (3rd A-10) and 18 stolen bases (2nd A-10) while senior Alyssa Cacini (.288) has scored 21 runs, batted six home runs (6th A-10) and knocked in 24 runs (8th A-10). Senior Kelsey Gumm (8-7) leads the conference with her 2.03 ERA and .189 opposing batting average while her 91 strikeouts are fifth most in the league.

SERIES STUFF
Massachusetts Leads, 39-9
First Meeting: April 27, 1996 - Massachusetts 5, Dayton 4 (Dayton, Ohio)
Last Meeting: May 11, 2018 - UMass 6, UD 2 (Bronx, N.Y.)

LAST TIME OUT
In its last non-conference doubleheader of the season, Dayton won two games against visiting Purdue Fort Wayne at UD Softball Stadium Wednesday by margins of 10-6 and 7-5. In game one, sophomore Kara Gunter knocked out her third home run of the season and junior pitcher Sarah Bailitz tallied a season-high six strikeouts. In the nightcap, junior Katie Reeg also went long for her third HR of the season and junior Kaelene Walter was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI.

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