Softball Sweeps Doubleheader at Dean Sunday Afternoon

FRANKLIN, Mass. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team got back in the win column, sweeping a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) South Division doubleheader at Dean College (Dean) Sunday afternoon at the Longley Athletic Complex in Franklin, Mass. The Blue Jays took the opening game, 16-4, after five innings before completing the sweep with a 3-1 victory in game two. With the results, the Blue Jays move to 13-19 overall, 5-7 in the GNAC and 3-5 in the South Division, while the Bulldogs drop to 1-23 overall, 1-11 in the GNAC and 1-9 in the South Division.

GAME ONE | USJ 16, DEAN 4 (5 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays got the offense going early with a two-out rally in the top of the first, as juniors Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) and Jenna Zup slashed back-to-back RBI singles, establishing a 2-0 USJ lead after the opening frame.
• USJ continued the offensive onslaught in the top of the second, as sophomore outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) recorded a two RBI single, increasing the lead to 4-0.
• In the very next at-bat, sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) slashed an RBI single, plating Ellis and increasing the gap to 5-0.
• Roberts then record her second RBI of the day, hitting a single to bring home Ouellette before Zup hit a ball deep enough into the infield to score sophomore infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine), increasing the USJ edge to 7-0 after two innings.
• USJ tacked on another run in the third after junior outfielder Izzy Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) launched an RBI double to establish an 8-0 USJ lead.
• Dean would try and mount a comeback in the bottom half of the third, scoring three runs to close the deficit to 8-3.
• However, USJ responded with six runs in the top of the fourth, starting with an RBI single from Zup. Then, with runners on the corners, freshman catcher Sydney Robison (Clinton, Conn.) record a two-RBI double, furthering the gap to 11-3. In the next at-bat, sophomore infielder Emma Carpenter (Brooklyn, Conn.) slashed an RBI single to increase the lead to 12-3 before Milardo was able to score after a Bulldogs error and Ouellette slashed an RBI single, establishing a 14-3 USJ lead after four innings.
• Carpenter and Ellis would add two more insurance runs in the top of the sixth, increasing the lead to 16-3.
• Dean would score a run in the bottom half of the fifth, but the deficit proved too much to overcome, as USJ took game one via the run rule, 16-4, after five innings.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Roberts was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate in game one, recording two RBI.
• Carpenter and Volinsky batted 3-for-4 in game one.
• Ellis tallied a game-high four RBI.
• Sophomore pitcher Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.) stole the lone base on the day.
• Fitch got the start in the circle of game one, picking up a no decision after allowing no runs on four hits and throwing one stirkeout in 2.0 innings of work.
• Roberts earned the win in game one (4-7), allowing four runs off eight hits in 3.0 innings of relief.

GAME TWO | USJ 3, DEAN 1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ grabbed another early lead in game two, as Volinsky hit a ball deep enough into the infield to plate freshman Jenn Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) before Zup launched an RBI double, establishing a 2-0 lead after the top of the first.
• Dean fired back with a run in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the gap to 2-1.
• The game then turned into a pitchers duel, as neither offense could generate scoring opportunities until the seventh inning.
• The Blue Jays added an insurance run in the final frame, as Fitch took advantage of a wild pitch, crossing home plate to increase the lead to 3-1.
• Starting pitcher sophomore Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) continued to stifle the Dean bats, securing the win for USJ, 3-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Zup, Carpenter, Milardo and sophomore catcher Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) all recorded hits in game two.
• Fekete earned the complete game victory (6-7), allowing one run off three hits and tossing four strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays return home for a GNAC South Division doubleheader against rivals Albertus Magnus College on Wednesday, April 24. First pitch against the Falcons in game one is slated for 3:00 p.m. at the USJ Softball FIeld in West Hartford, Conn.

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