Softball Splits GNAC-Opening Doubleheader at Home Against Lasell

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team opened up Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play Sunday afternoon by splitting a doubleheader against Lasell University (Lasell) on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. The Blue Jays won game one in walk-off fashion, 4-3, before falling in game two, 8-0. With the results, the Blue Jays move to 7-13 on the year and 1-1 in GNAC play while the Lasers move to 9-7 overall and 1-1 in the GNAC.

GAME ONE | USJ 4, LASELL 3

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless opening two innings, the Lasers scored the games first run in the top of the third, taking the lead.
• Lasell tacked on another run in the top of the fourth, increasing the lead to 2-0.
• The Blue Jays began to fight back in the bottom of the sixth, as freshman catcher Sydney Robison (Clinton, Conn.) lead off the inning with a single before sophomore Devan Fox (Granville, Mass.) entered the game as pinch runner and stole second.
• Sophomore infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) then drew a walk while junior shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, advancing Fox and Volinsky to second and third.
• Junior pitcher Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) took full advantage of the situation, slashing a single back up the middle, plating Fox and Volinsky to tie the game at 2-2.
• In the very next at-bat, the Lasers first baseman would make a costly error trying to throw sophomore pinch runner Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.) out at third, allowing Fitch to score and establish a 3-2 USJ lead.
• Lasell would answer back in the top of the seventh, finding an equalizer as the game was knotted at 3-3 entering the bottom of the seventh.
• Freshman Jenn Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) lead off the inning with a walk, before stealing second and advancing to third after a sophomore outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) single.
• Sophomore Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) then laid down a bunt, trying to move Ellis into scoring position, but the Lasers pitcher recorded an error on the throw to first, allowing Antonowicz to come home and beat out a tag and win the game for USJ, 4-3.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Ellis was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate in game one, drawing two walks.
• Roberts tallied a game-high two RBI.
• The Blue Jays stole four bases in the opener.
• Roberts earned the complete game victory inside the circle (2-5), allowing three runs off 11 hits while throwing one strikeout.

GAME TWO | LASELL 8, USJ 0

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ threated to score early in the bottom of the second, getting runners on second and third, but the Lasers recorded the final out via strikeout, holding the Blue Jays.
• Lasell carried the momentum into the top of the third, plating two runs to hold a 2-0 edge.
• Sophomore starting pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) settled in inside the circle, keeping the Lasers off the scoreboard as the game reached the bottom of the sixth.
• The Blue Jays had a golden opportunity to answer back in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with one out, but an inning ending double play allowed the Lasers to escape without surrendering a run.
• Again, Lasell took its defensive momentum with them heading to the plate, scoring six runs in the top of the seventh while remaining to keep the Blue Jays scoreless, taking home an 8-0 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Zup went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in game two.
• Roberts continued her stellar day, batting 2-for-3.
• Fekete took home the loss (4-4) allowing six runs, four of which were earned, off seven hits and throwing three strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
• Ouellette threw the remaining 0.2 innings in relief, allowing two unearned runs off four hits.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays head on the road for a doubleheader at Salem State on Wednesday, April 10. First pitch in game one against the Vikings on Alumni Field in Salem, Mass., is set for 4:00 p.m.

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