Softball Drops Pair of Contests on Penultimate Day in Myrtle Beach

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team dropped a pair of contests during the penultimate day of the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Wednesday. The Blue Jays started the day with a 21-1 loss against the Skidmore College (Skidmore) Thoroughbreds, before falling to the Wilson College (Wilson) Phoenix, 8-4, to close out the day.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 1, Skidmore 21 - 6 innings
Records: USJ (2-5), Skidmore (1-3)
Location: Central Park Sports Complex - Field 1 | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Thoroughbreds wasted little time taking the lead, using a solo homerun to take a 1-0 edge after the first inning. The Blue Jays looked to answer back immediately, but would leave two runners on base in the bottom of the first and second innings. Skidmore took advantage of the opportunity, tacking on another run in the top of the third, increasing the gap to 2-0.

USJ answered back in the bottom of the fourth, though, cutting the gap to one, 2-1. Freshman Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.) would find herself on second base after coming in to pinch run, taking full advantage of a Skidmore throwing error, scoring from second base and cutting the deficit. However, the Thoroughbreds fired back with two runs in the top of the fifth before exploding for 17 in the top of the sixth, enacting the run-rule to take home a 21-1 victory after six innings.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Sophomore Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) earned the start and picked up the loss (1-3) on the day. Roberts allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, from seven hits, striking out four batters in 5.0 innings of work. Fitch and freshman Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) combined to pitch the final inning.

SKIDMORE – Lindsey Raimondi (1-1) threw a complete game two-hitter, allowing one run and striking out 11 batters to earn the win.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 0, Wilson 0
Records: USJ (2-6), Wilson (4-8)
Location: Central Park Sports Complex - Field 1 | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a scoreless first inning, USJ gained the lead in the top of the second. With one out, Roberts slashed a single, before stealing second to get in scoring position. Two batters later, freshman Tessa D'Aquila (Old Saybrook, Conn.) notched a single of her own, plating Roberts and giving USJ the 1-0 edge. However, Wilson respodned right back in the bottom half of the frame, tying the game at 1-1.

The Phoenix threatened again in the third, getting runners on the corners, but D'Aquila forced a fly out to center, ending the inning and preserving a 1-1 score line. The Blue Jays gave D'Aquila an insurance run in the fourth, loading the bases after Ouellette, Roberts and Fairfax all got on base. D'Aquila then stepped up to the plate, recording an infield fly, but heads up bass running saw Ouellette score, giving USJ a 2-1 lead.

Wilson immediately fired back, scoring six unanswered runs to hold a 7-2 lead entering the sixth inning. USJ began to mount a comeback in the top of the sixth, cutting the gap to three, 7-4, after Fairfax and senior Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) recorded RBI, but a Phoenix run in the bottom half of the frame ended the USJ comeback, as Wilson took home an 8-4 win.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – D'Aquila picked up the loss (0-1) allowing seven runs off nine hits in 4.2 innings of work. Freshman Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) threw the remaining 1.1 innings, allowing one run off one hit, striking out two Wilson batters.

WILSON – Madison Knerr earned the complete game victory (1-2) allowing four runs off 10 hits while striking out five Blue Jays.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays wrap up the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic tomorrow, March 16, with another doubleheader. USJ starts the day with a rematch against Mount Aloysius College at 3:00 p.m., before rounding out the trip to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., with a game against Castleton University at 5:00 p.m.

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