Softball Downs John Jay In Game 2, Splits Doubleheader

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team split a doubleheader with the Bloodhounds of John Jay College (JJC), dropping a tight decision in game one, 4-2, before earning a 5-2 win in game two, in a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at the USJ Softball Field. 

GAME ONE
Score: John Jay 4, Saint Joseph 2
Records: JJC (5-7), USJ (10-6)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

KEY MOMENTS

• Game one saw some superb pitching and some clutch hitting as the Bloodhounds made their charge with a huge sixth inning. Already up 1-0, John Jay grinded to get those three runs (sac fly, single, wild pitch). Ironically enough it was freshman Mackenzie Tresch (Minisink, N.Y.) who was responsible for three of the four runs one way or another, driving in two and scoring on that wild pitch in the sixth to make it 4-0 JJC.
• The Blue Jays bats finally got going in the bottom of the sixth as the hosts put a few runs together after an error by JJC. A fielder's choice from freshman Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) followed by a sac fly from sophomore Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.) cut the deficit in half, 4-2. USJ did manage to get the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and second, but a pop out ended game one for the hosts.

IN THE CIRCLE

JJC – Sophomore America Rivera (Brooklyn, N.Y.) picked up the win (2-4) despite allowing 10 hits. Rivera was able to escape some jams with four strikeouts and just two runs allowed in a complete seven-inning performance.

USJ – Freshman Amanda Savinelli (New Haven, Conn.) was dealt the loss (4-5), allowing four runs (3 ER) on eight hits in a complete game. She was in charge most of the way striking out a game-high 10 batters in the process.

GAME TWO
Score: John Jay 2, Saint Joseph 5
Records: JJC (5-8), USJ (11-6)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

KEY MOMENTS

• In game two, the Blue Jays bounced back nicely and found the bats a little earlier this time, scoring two runs in the opening frame to take the momentum. Senior captain Frankie Ferrante (Southington, Conn.) got USJ on the board first with an RBI single to center. Ferrante later scored on a rocket double down the left field line by junior Liliana Stoddard (Waterford, Conn.) to make it 2-0 Saint Joseph.
• The Blue Jays tacked on three more between the third and fifth innings, the runs all driven in on doubles by freshman Alexandra Silver (Vernon, Conn.). John Jay responded late with a pair of runs, but nothing came easy for them as Saint Joseph wrapped this one up convincingly to split on the day.

IN THE CIRCLE

JJC – Freshman Madison Gil (Bronx, N.Y.) took the loss (1-1) in just over an inning of work, allowing a pair of runs to cross on three hits. Junior Julianne Graepel (Lynbrook, N.Y.) pitched 4.2 innings in relief.

USJ – Quealy advanced to a perfect 5-0 to start 2022. She allowed just five hits and two runs in a complete game (3 BB, 2 K).

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon] 
"Once again I feel good about our team; coming back after losing a close one in the first game. Amanda Savinelli pitched well enough to win game one with only one earned run and all those strikeouts. Adriana Quealy pitched a gem in the second game. We needed that. We had some big hits over the course of the day, and I have to give credit to Kelsie LaHouse for catching in game two; she called a great game and threw runners out trying to steal."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays will be competing in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action once again in a doubleheader, this time against the Falcons of Albertus Magnus College on Saturday, April 9. The action kicks off at 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. respectively on the USJ Softball Field.

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