Softball Drops GNAC Doubleheader At JWU Saturday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team was swept Saturday in doubleheader action against the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University (JWU), dropping games one and two by a final score of 14-0 and 4-0 respectively, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex (SMAC).

GAME ONE
Score: Saint Joseph 0, Johnson & Wales 14 (5 innings)
Records: USJ 11-15 (2-7 GNAC), JWU 23-4 (5-2 GNAC)
Location: SMAC | Providence, R.I.

KEY MOMENTS

• Game one was all Wildcats as they scored six and seven runs in back-to-back innings. Junior Meaghan Gurska (Revere, Mass.), had five RBI including a grand slam in the fourth. USJ had four hits including a hit each at the six, seven, and eight spots in the lineup. Senior captain Frankie Ferrante (Southington, Conn.) and senior Riley Mulligan (Lincoln, R.I.) both had a double. USJ was unable to get any runs across though, as the second frame was the only inning with multiple hits.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Freshman Amanda Savinelli (New Haven, Conn.) was dealt the loss (4-11) allowing 12 earned runs on 11 hits in three innings of work. She also struck out three. Sophomore Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.) threw an inning in relief allowing two hits and two runs.

JWU – Freshman Mackenzie Clee moved to 6-0 on the season with a four-hit shutout. She also fanned four. Freshman Sydney Gabay (Bohemia, N.Y.) walked one and struck out one in an inning of relief.

GAME TWO
Score: Saint Joseph 0, Johnson & Wales 4
Records: USJ 11-16 (2-8 GNAC), JWU 24-4 (6-2 GNAC)
Location: The SMAC | Providence, R.I.

KEY MOMENTS

• In game two, pitching took hold as senior Natalie Amato (Cheshire, Conn.) kept the hosts scoreless through three. USJ was held in check as well though by freshman Katie Scheid (Hightstown, N.J.). That all changed in the fourth inning when JWU mustered two runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. Three singles provided the runs for the Wildcats, including one from freshman Caroline Amorelli (Winslow, N.J.), who finished 2-for-3 overall. USJ got a runner on second with two away in the seventh on a double from freshman Alexandra Silver (Vernon, Conn.), but was unable to get a rally going.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Amato dipped to 2-2 this season, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out six in four and a third innings pitched. Savinelli allowed one hit in the final inning and two thirds.

JWU – Scheid moved to 6-2 with the second shutout of the day, this one on six hits. She fanned four in a complete game.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"Things got away from us in the first game — and we were there in the second game. Seeing Natalie Amato pitch well was a boost. We hit some balls hard, but right at people, more than we have in other games. We have eight conference games left and I know we will turn it around."

UP NEXT
Softball's longest road trip of the season continues, as the Blue Jays head to Anna Maria College next for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference road doubleheader. The action kicks off on Monday, April 18 at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. respectively.

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