USJ Splits Doubleheader On Final Day Of Myrtle Beach Trip

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team split a doubleheader Thursday in its final day of competition at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex in South Carolina. The Blue Jays squeaked past the Lions of Albright College (AC) in game one, 8-7, before falling in a pitcher's duel, 2-1 to the Beacons of UMass-Boston (UMB) in game two. USJ concluded the Myrtle Beach trip with a 6-3 start to the season, winning four of its final five games on the trip.
 
GAME ONE
Score: Saint Joseph 8, Albright 7
Records: USJ (6-2), AC (0-7)
Location: NMB Sports Complex – Field 6 | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Jays did most of their damage across the first three innings, scoring six of their eight runs in that span. Senior catcher Kacy O'Connor (Milford, Conn.) fired a single to center to drive in the game's first run. A second was added just a batter later as freshman left fielder Elaina Previty (Pawcatuck, Conn.) slapped a double to left to make it 2-0.
• Freshman Amanda Savinelli (New Haven, Conn.) seemed to do a little bit of everything for USJ. She went 2-for-4 at the plate with 3 RBI, and did some damage in the circle later on in the contest. Savinelli came up clutch later in game one as the Lions made their move, their second lead of the contest in what was a back-and-forth battle to the end. With the game tied at seven after a wild pitch in the seventh, Savinelli singled up the middle to drive in the go-ahead run. The freshman finished off Albright with three quick outs after a leadoff single.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Sophomore pitcher Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.) secured her second-career win and second straight Thursday (2-0), allowing just four runs on four hits in four innings, striking out two batters on the day. Freshman Alexis Faucher (Killingly, Conn.) pitched an inning in relief, while Savinelli picked up the save (1) in two innings of scoreless softball (only allowed two hits).

AC – Senior pitcher Laura Costello (Allentown, Pa.) took the loss (0-3), allowing two runs on five hits in four innings of work. Freshman Jadelyn Van Winkle (Pocono Mountains, Pa.) and freshman Kiera Reilly (Dumont, N.J.) pitched earlier in the contest in shorter stints, with Costello aiming to close it out.

GAME TWO

Score: Saint Joseph 1, UMass-Boston 2
Records: USJ (6-3), UMB (3-2)
Location: NMB Sports Complex | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

KEY MOMENTS

• Game two was a pitcher's duel throughout as both squads had their best stuff in the circle from start to finish. Both teams were held scoreless until the Beacons broke through with two runs in the bottom of the fifth on an-RBI groundout and a single to center. Down 2-0 heading into the final inning, the Blue Jays finally got a run across the board behind an RBI double from senior center fielder Riley Mulligan (Lincoln, R.I.). She attempted to go to third on the hit though and was thrown out. USJ was unable to get another runner in scoring position, falling 2-1.

IN THE CIRCLE

UMB – Senior pitcher Hayley Catania (Amesbury, Mass.) moved to 2-1 on the season with a seven-hit, seven-inning effort. She allowed just the one run in the seventh inning, and struck out three with two walks.

USJ – Savinelli pitched a great game for USJ, allowing just two runs in six innings with no walks. She also struck out a batter in the effort. It was her second loss of the season (3-2).

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon] 
"It was a great way to close out the Myrtle Beach trip for sure. We played our best ball towards the end of the trip, I am very proud of that. The team hit and pitched well, a lot of players got involved, you really cannot ask for much more than that. Our attention now turns to Bay Path."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays are headed home after a weeklong trip down south. They will rest up before getting back on the field in a road contest against Bay Path College on Saturday, March 26 at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. respectively in Longmeadow, Mass.

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