BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Villanova softball team lost two games to begin its weekend at the Joan Joyce Classic Friday. 

The 'Cats (0-12) started the day with a 4-1 loss to UMass (5-6) in eight innings before losing 8-1 to Kansas (8-5) to end the day. 

Maranda Runco led the VU offense on the day, going 3-6 at the plate, hitting her first home run of the season and hitting two RBIs. 

Kat Gallant (L, 0-5) got the start against UMass, pitching all eight innings for the 'Cats, striking out five, walking two and giving up two earned runs on five hits. Gallant took the loss in the game. 

The first four innings of the contest were scoreless before Villanova broke through in the bottom of the fifth after Runco singled in Maddie Burrows from second. 

The Minutewomen responded immediately in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 1-1. 

A scoreless seventh brought the game to extras, where UMass scored three in the top of the eighth. 

Villanova got the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but did not score. 

Lexi Kobryn (L, 0-5) picked up her fifth start of the season against the Jayhawks, pitching four innings, walking one and giving up five runs on seven hits.

After going down 1-0 in the first inning, the 'Cats tied the game via Runco's first home run of the season in the top of the third. 

Kansas retook the lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run, before adding six in the bottom of the sixth.

Maggie King and Carly Zych pitched the final two innings of the game, respectively. 

King pitched an inning, striking out two, walking one and giving up three runs on four hits. 

Zych also pitched an inning, setting down the Jayhawks in the bottom of the sixth in order. 

Up Next

Villanova continues the Joan Joyce Classic Saturday, with a morning matchup with Kansas at 11:15 a.m. and a game against hosts, FAU, at 3:45 p.m.