Despite the snow and freezing temperatures, for UMBC’s sports teams spring is beginning as both lacrosse teams, baseball and softball prepare to face off against their first groups of opponents in the upcoming week.

Spring sports was kicked off this past weekend by the Retriever softball team and it was a rough start for them. They played four games against Loyola Marmount University and Grand Canyon University at the Grand Canyon Kickoff tournament and unfortunately for them, they lost all four games.

The Retriever softball team was unable to gain a lead in any of the four games and lost all four games by a combined score of 44–8. In their first game against Grand Canyon, the Retrievers lost 18–0. The Retrievers were unable to get a single hit in the matchup and only made it on base due to an error and three hits by pitch.

Men’s lacrosse was originally meant to play Johns Hopkins University on Saturday, Feb. 13. However, due to frigid weather conditions, the game is postponed until March 30. The first game of their season will now be Feb. 20 at home against Richmond University.

Women’s lacrosse will play their first game against local rivals Towson University. In the pre-season America East coaches poll, the Retrievers received no first place votes, but were still picked to finish third in the poll. The Retrievers received this rank thanks in part to the return of four of their top five scorers from last season and the return of sophomore Caitlin Miller, who led the conference in draw controls.

Last season, the Retriever baseball team finished second to Stony Brook University in the America East Championship game after a historic season for the team. The Retrievers were also picked second behind Stony Brook in this year’s coaches poll and received three of the seven first place votes.

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