Softball Sweeps Sunday Doubleheader Against Bay Path

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team made it back-to-back sweeps on the newly renovated turf USJ Softball Field, taking down Bay Path University (Bay Path) in two games during a doubleheader in West Hartford, Conn. Sunday afternoon. The Blue Jays first defeated the Wildcats, 8-0, in five innings during the opening game, before completing the sweep with a 6-1 victory in game two.
 
GAME ONE
Score: USJ 8, Bay Path 0 – 5 innings
Records: USJ (6-7), Bay Path (1-10)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

USJ wasted little time finding their offense, dropping six runs in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) started the big run with a single. Sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) and freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) followed the at-bat with back-to-back singles, loading the bases for senior catcher Liliana Stoddard (Waterford, Conn.). Stoddard took full advantage of the situation, ripping a double and unloading the bases to give USJ a quick 3-0 edge. Junior Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.) continued the hit parade, launching a double of her own to get two runners in scoring position, setting up sophomore Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.), who slashed a single, plating Stoddard and extending the gap to 4-0.

Freshman Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) kept the USJ momentum going, reaching on a fielder's choice in the next at-bat, while the Blue Jays took advantage of a Bay Path error that enable Quealy to score and get runners on first and second. Fellow freshman Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) rounded out the explosive opening inning for USJ, ripping a single to bring home Roberts and give USJ a 6-0 lead after the first frame.

Fekete rewarded her offense by continuing to throw a gem inside the circle, tallying five strikeouts over the next two innings, maintaining a 6-0 edge entering the bottom of the third. USJ increased the gap to 7-0 in the bottom half of the inning, as Conger used heads up base running after another Wildcats error, scoring from first to increase the gap. After Fekete continued to blank the Bay Path offense, Roberts wasted little time in the bottom of the inning, recording a single that brought home Quealy after her leadoff double, enacting the run-rule and giving USJ an 8-0 victory in game one.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Fekete pitched a gem in game one, picking up the win (2-2) after throwing a complete game, three-hit shutout. The freshman also tallied eight strikeouts on the day.

BAY PATH – Isabelle Ferrara saw the start in game one for Bay Path, taking the loss (1-5) after allowing eight runs, six of which were earned, off 12 hits in 4.0 innings of work.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 6, Bay Path 1
Records: USJ (7-7), Bay Path (1-11)

The Blue Jays got off to another quick start in game two, as freshman Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) drew a walk to begin the game, before advancing to third with two outs. Senior outfielder Janna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) came up clutch, ripping a single to plate Ouellette and give USJ the 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays followed up the first with an even better second inning, dropping five runs to increase the advantage.

Sophomore infielder Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.), Roberts and junior first baseman Grace DiMinno recorded three straight hits to start the inning, loading the bases. Freshman Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) showed patience in the next at-bat, drawing a walk to bring home Catalani and increase the lead to 2-0. Ouellette took full advantage of the situation, doubling to the gap and brining home Roberts and DiMinno to increase the USJ edge to 4-0.

After a quick first out, freshman infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) continued the run parade, tallying a hit to score Ellis, while Masiello hit a ball deep enough into the infield, allowing Ouellette to score and send USJ into the third inning with a 6-0 lead. The USJ bats would fall quiet, but it would not be an issue as Roberts continued to limit the Bay Path offense, including working out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the sixth inning without surrendering a run. The Wildcats would score a run in the top of the seventh but it would not be enough as USJ completed the sweep with a 6-1 victory in game two.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts got the start in game two, earning the win (3-3) after pitching a complete game. She allowed one run off five hits, while tallying five strikeouts on the day.

BAY PATH – Emma Scheeren (0-2) took the loss in game two after allowing six runs off nine hits, throwing one strikeout in 6.0 innings of work.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays continue non-conference play, travelling to Sarah Lawrence College for a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 29^th. First pitch in game one against the Gryphons is set for 3:30 p.m. on Mary LeVine Field in Bronxville, N.Y.

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