Softball Sweeps Regis College on the Road Friday, Locks Up Spot in GNAC Playoffs

WESTON, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team ended its 2023 regular season on a high, sweeping its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader at Regis College (Regis), Friday afternoon, securing a spot in the upcoming GNAC Playoffs. The Blue Jays took game one, 5-3, before completing the sweep with a 5-1 victory. The wins increased USJ's winning streak to six games.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 5, Regis 3
Records: USJ (21-17, 5-6 GNAC), Regis (12-23, 3-8 GNAC)
Location: Regis Softball Field | Weston, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Blue Jays continued its trend of scoring in the first inning, taking the lead in the opening frame. After a quick first out, junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) drew a walk, while sophomore first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) slashed a single down the right field line to get runners on the corners. Regis nearly got out of the inning, tallying the second out, but sophomore infielder Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) utilized clutch two-out hitting, recording a single to right, plating Milardo to give USJ the 1-0 edge.

After starting pitcher, freshman Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) kept the Pride off the board in the opening two innings, the USJ offense rewarded their hurler in the top of the third. Sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) lead off the inning with a single, before a perfect bunt by Milardo put runners on first and second. In the next at-bat, Roberts slashed a single to center, advancing Zup to third while the sophomore took advantage of a Regis error, advancing home to increase the gap to 2-0. However, Regis would score twice in the bottom of the third, leveling the score at 2-2 through three innings.

USJ would not be deterred by the comeback attempt, as senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) reestablished the lead for the blue Jays in the top of the fifth, recording a sacrifice fly to score Zup and swing the lead back in USJ's favor, 3-2. The Pride would not go away though, as they hosts quickly tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the frame. The Blue Jays looked to put the game away in the top of the seventh, as freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) began the inning by getting on base via a Regis error. Zup then continued her strong day at the plate, launching a double to center, scoring Fairfax to establish a 4-3 USJ lead. A textbook sacrifice bunt by Milardo enabled Zup to advance to third, setting up Roberts who slashed a single through the left side, scoring Zup to increase the lead to 5-3. Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Ouellette (Waterbury, Conn.) entered the game for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the seventh, setting the Pride down in order, picking up the save, securing the win in game one, 5-3, and clinching a spot in the GNAC playoffs for USJ.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Fekete earned the start for USJ in game one, taking home the win (6-3) after allowing three runs off nine hits, striking out two batters in 6.0 innings of work. Ouellette threw the seventh inning in relief, tossing one strikeout to pick up her first save of her career.

REGIS – Diana Petrarca picked up the loss in game one (5-9) allowing five runs, three of which were earned, off 10 hits in 7.0 innings of work.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 5, Regis 1
Records: USJ (22-17, 6-6 GNAC), Regis (12-24, 3-9 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

USJ carried the momentum into game two, quickly taking the lead again in the first inning. Zup drew a walk to begin the game before advancing to second in the next at-bat. With one out, Roberts slashed a single down the left field line, scoring Zup to take a 1-0 lead for the Blue Jays after the opening inning. Roberts, who got the start in g ame two, helped her offense out inside the circle, keeping the Pride hitless through the opening two innings. The sophomore continued her strong game, notching a single up the middle of one out in the top of the third, while Masiello singled to the right center gap, getting runners on the corners. The Pride failed to turn a double play to get themselves out of the inning, as Catalani reached on a fielder's choice while Roberts was able to score, increasing the USJ lead to 2-0 after the top of the third inning.

The Blue Jays continued to fire on all cylinders offensively in the top of the fourth, tacking on three runs. Freshman Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) began the inning with a single, advancing to second from a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Zup utilized timely hitting, slashing a single back up the middle, plating Zup to increase the lead to 3-0.  Milardo and Roberts both reached on base in the next at-bats, loading the bases for Masiello. The senior was not fazed by the situation, launching a two-RBI single to center, increasing the lead to 5-0 after the fourth inning. The Pride fired back with one run in the bottom of the sixth, but Roberts continued her stellar game inside the circle, shutting the door and securing the win in game two, 5-1.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts earned the complete game victory (9-7), allowing one run off three hits while tallying nine strikeouts.

REGIS – Alyssa Ward picked up the loss for Regis (1-5), allowing five runs off 10 hits in 7.0 innings of work.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"We did a good job overall today taking two games and getting in the playoffs. We continue to play well defensively and get timely hits. The players worked hard and earned the right to play in the playoffs. I am very happy for them."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays begin postseason play, traveling to third-seeded Lasell University for the GNAC Playoffs First Round on Tuesday, May 2. First pitch against the Lasers on Taylor Field in Newton, Mass., is yet to be determined.

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays