WASHINGTON— No. 3 Massachusetts scored three first-inning runs and got a strong game from the circle to spark a 5-0 win over second-seeded Dayton in the 2016 Atlantic 10 Softball Championship at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Athletic Complex.

UMass (26-22) advances to face No. 5 Saint Joseph’s in the championship bracket Saturday. The Flyers (26-20-1) fell into the consolation bracket and played No. 4 Saint Louis Friday evening in an elimination game.

Meg Colleran (22-15) threw a gem for the Minutewomen, tossing a complete game, five-hit scoreless shutout with six strikeouts.

Gabrielle Snyder (8-2) took the loss for Dayton, throwing 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on a five hits. Emily Froment also threw for Dayton getting four strikeouts and allowing three hits and one run.

UMass scored on a pair of RBI singles in the first. Taylor Carbone singled up the middle to score Jena Cozza. Lindsey Zenk followed with a two-RBI single through the right side that plated both Kaycee and Taylor Carbone to take a three-run lead. The Minutewomen then added a pair of insurance runs in the fourth. Erin Stacevicz scored on a wild pitch and Kaycee Carbone singled in Taylor Carbone.

Cozza was 3-for-3 to lead UMass and Zenk had a pair of RBI to go with a 2-for-3 performance. Kathryn Hess was 2-for-3 to lead Dayton at the plate.