FAIRFAX, Va. – After struggling to find consistent offense throughout the elimination matchup, the bats for fifth-seeded Dayton (20-23) finally clicked early in the sixth frame as five Flyers managed to reach base safely via a hit en route to four total runs and the team's first advantage of the game, eventually leading to a 4-2 win over No. 6 Massachusetts (19-32) in the final game of opening day at the Atlantic 10 Softball Championship at the George Mason Softball Complex.

Victory in hand, the Flyers stave off elimination for another day as they proceed to Thursday's early-evening clash within in the consolation bracket, matching wits with the lower-seeded loser of Game 4/5 at the George Mason Softball Complex. The contest will be broadcast live via ESPN+.

UMass managed to pick up a relatively early lead after two scoreless innings of work for starters Julianne Bolton (UM) and Sarah Bailitz (UD), scoring one run apiece in both the third and fourth frames.

After trailing for the majority of the game, the Dayton offense flourished in the sixth inning, as a leadoff single and consequent sac bunt combined with three ensuring singles and double to rack up four runs for the Flyers. A defensive effort to quelch a runner at second and third for the Minutewomen closed out the victory for Dayton.