Softball Splits Final Day of Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic

NAPLES, Fla. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team rounded out the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Thursday morning in Naples, Fla., splitting its final two contests in the Sunshine State. The Blue Jays started the day with a thrilling 8-7 walk-off victory after eight innings against Alfred State College (ASC), before concluding the day with a 5-1 defeat against SUNY Potsdam (Potsdam). With the results, USJ moved to 4-6 on the young season, while the Pioneers moved to 1-6 overall and the Bears moved to 3-3 on the year.

USJ 8, ASC 7 (8 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Pioneers took an early lead, holding a 1-0 edge after the top of the first.
• USJ immediately answered, as senior shortstop Jenan Zup (Berlin, Conn.) led off the inning with a single, before sophomore infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) singled down the right field line, enabling Zup to advance to third. Then, while Antonowicz was stealing second, Zup was able to dash home and tie the game at 1-1.
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the third, as Antonowicz continued her hot streak at the plate, launching a triple to right, plating Zup and giving USJ a 2-1 lead.
• In the very next at-bat, senior first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) slashed a single through the right side, scoring Antonowicz and increasing the edge to 3-1.
• The Pioneers looked to fire back in the top half of the fourth, loading the bases with no outs, but junior pitcher Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) was able to strike out three consecutive batters, stranding the runners and keeping ASC off the board.
• However, ASC loaded the bases again in the top of the fifth, plating three to retake the lead, 4-3.
• USJ leveled the score in the bottom half of the frame, as senior infielder Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) recorded an RBI single, scoring Antonowicz to tie the game at 4-4 after five innings.
• The Pioneers regained the lead in the top of the sixth, tacking on one run to hold a 5-4 edge.
• The lead did not last long though, as Antonowicz continued her stellar day by notching an RBI double in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 5-5.
• Roberts then stepped up in the next at-bat, launching a two-RBI single, scoring Antonowicz and freshman Sophia Onofrio (Naugatuck, Conn.) and putting USJ back in the lead, 7-5.
• ASC answered back in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs to tie the game at 7-7 and force extra innings.
• Antonowicz would be the hero for the Blue Jays in extra frames, securing the victory for USJ, 8-7, with a walk-off single to the right-center gap.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Antonowicz finished a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate, slashing a triple and a double while tallying three RBI.
• Zup, Roberts, Catalani and freshman catcher Sadie Girgasky (Seymour, Conn.) all notched two hits on the day.
• Roberts also tallied three RBI to match Antonowicz.
• Antonowicz stole a team-best three bases.
• Ouellette, who got the start inside the circle, picked up the win (3-0), after tossing six strikeouts, while allowing six runs off 10 hits in 6.2 innings of work.
• Sophomore Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.), who entered the game in the fifth inning before being replaced in the seventh, threw 1.1 innings of relief, allowing one run off three hits.

USJ 1, POTSDAM 5

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ grabbed the lead in the top of the second after junior catcher Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) slashed an RBI double to the left center gap, plating freshman Gabby Marichal (Lynn, mass.) and establishing a 1-0 lead.
• However, the Bears responded in the bottom of the third, tying the game at 1-1.
• Potsdam then tacked on four runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking a 5-1 edge.
• The Blue Jays would not be able to answer back, as the Bears secured the victory, 5-1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Six different Blue Jays recorded hits.
• Ouellette drew a team-best two walks.
• Antonowicz continued to be a menace on the base paths, recording the lone steal for USJ.
• Roberts got the start inside the circle, picking up the loss (1-2) after allowing five runs off 10 hits, while striking out two batters in 3.2 innings of work.
• Escarraman threw 2.1 innings of relief, striking out two batters while allowing only one hit.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays take a nine-day hiatus, before making their 2025 USJ Softball Field debut on Saturday, March 22 against Bay Path University. First pitch of the doubleheader versus the Wildcats in West Hartford, Conn. is slated for noon.

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