Softball Secures Dominating Sweep Over Norwich To Open GNAC Play

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team began conference play with a bang, sweeping the Cadets of Norwich University (Norwich) during a doubleheader in their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener Sunday afternoon on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. The Blue Jays shutout the Cadets in game one, 12-0, before completing the sweep with a 12-3 victory in game two. The results do not count towards the GNAC standings as the Blue Jays, who are in the South Division, and the Cadets, who are in the North Division, are in separate divisions. The Blue Jays served as the away team during the doubleheader after the series was moved from Norwich to USJ.
 
GAME ONE
Score: USJ 12, Norwich 0 – 5 innings
Records: USJ (8-8), Norwich (1-10)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Blue Jays wasted little time putting runs on the scoreboard, exploding for eight in the top of the first. With one out, junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) singled to the third baseman before stealing second to get herself in scoring position. Sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) notched a single of her own in the next at-bat, while a wild pitch saw Milardo and Zup move to third and second base. The Cadets would secure a second out, but senior infielder Liliana Stoddard (Waterford, Conn.) drew a walk, loading the bases for sophomore pitcher Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.).

Roberts was not fazed by the situation, slashing a single to bring home Zup and Milardo, establishing a 2-0 Blue Jays lead. Freshman first baseman Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) reloaded the bases with a single in the following at-bat, to set up senior catcher Kelsie LaHouse (Coventry, Conn.). LaHouse would take one for the team, getting hit by a pitch, allowing Stoddard to score, while freshman infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) launched a double to center field, bringing home Conger and Roberts, increasing the USJ edge to 5-0. The run parade continued for USJ as LaHouse took advantage of a Norwich error to increase the gap to 6-0, while another Cadet's error allowed freshman outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) and Volinsky to cross the plate, capping off the inning for USJ as the Blue Jays established an 8-0 lead.

Roberts continued her stellar day, this time inside the circle as she kept Norwich off the scoreboard, including in the bottom of the third as she left runners stranded on first and second, not allowing the Cadets a way back into the game. The sophomore would help herself out in the top of the fourth, slashing a single towards the first baseman, seeing senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) come home to score, increasing the USJ lead to 9-0.

The incredible outing continued for USJ in the bottom half of the inning as Roberts struck out the side to preserve the 9-0 lead. USJ put the game out of reach in the top of the fifth, as a Norwich error allowed Ouellette to score, while Roberts launched a two-RBI double, increasing the advantage to 12-0. Roberts rounded out her incredible performance in game one, striking out the side in the bottom of the fifth to give USJ a 12-0 victory in game one of the doubleheader.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts put on a pitching clinic in game one, tossing a complete game three-hit shutout to earn the victory (4-3). Roberts also tossed a season-high 10 strikeouts across 5.0 innings.

NORWICH – Kennedy White got the start in game one, picking up the loss (0-2) after allowing nine runs, six of which were earned, off seven hits in 4.0 innings of work. Allison Northup pitched the remaining 1.0 innings in relief, allowing three runs off two hits.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 12, Norwich 3 – 5 innings
Records: USJ (9-8), Norwich (1-11)

The Blue Jays carried the momentum into game two, scoring three runs to begin the game. Freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) lead off with a single, before advancing to third after a Milardo bunt, putting runners on the corners. Masiello laid down a bunt of her own two batters, later, loading the bases for Stoddard who ripped a single to left field, plating Fairfax and giving USJ an early 1-0 lead. Roberts continued her monstrous day at the plate in the following at-bat, notching a single that scored Masiello and Milardo to see USJ increase the lead to 3-0 after the first inning.

USJ continued the strong offensive performance in the top of the second as Milardo hit a ball deep enough into the infield to allow Fairfax to score after she ripped a triple to the left center gap, establishing a 4-0 USJ lead. Freshman pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.), who got the start in game two, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the third, securing the final out with a fly out, keeping the Cadets off the scoreboard. The Blue Jays rewarded their pitcher in the top of the fourth, as Stoddard recorded a sacrifice fly, while Roberts slashed a two-RBI double down the right field line, increasing the USJ edge to 7-0.

Norwich threatened again the bottom of the fourth, but Fekete struck out the final two batters of the inning, to maintain the shutout as the game entered the fifth inning. The Blue Jays put the game to rest in the fifth, tacking on five more runs.

Fairfax was able to reach third base after a Norwich error, allowing Milardo to lay down a perfect bunt, scoring Fairfax to increase the edge to 8-0. The Cadets were able to pick up a second out, but USJ used clutch two-out inning to continue to increase the lead. Another Cadet's error enabled Milardo to touch home plate, while Stoddard doubled to left center to establish a double-digit lead, 10-0. Roberts rounded out her monstrous day, slashing a single to plate Stoddard while freshman outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) notched a triple to left center, plating Roberts and sending USJ into the bottom half of the frame up 12-0. Norwich finally got on the scoreboard, scoring three times in the bottom of the fifth, but Fekete put an end to any comeback attempt, recording the final out to send USJ home with a sweep, winning game two, 12-3.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Fekete earned the complete game victory (3-3) allowing three runs off nine hits, while striking out four Cadets on the day.

NORWICH – Maren McGinn saw the start inside the circle in game two, picking up the loss (0-4) after allowing four runs off six hits in 2.0 innings of work. Northup made her second relief appearance of the day in game two, throwing the final 3.0 innings, allowing eight runs, none of which were earned, off nine hits.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays continue GNAC play tomorrow, Monday, April 3, with a doubleheader against Elms College. First pitch in game one against the Cadets is set for 3:00 p.m. on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn.

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