Softball Splits GNAC Doubleheader at Rival Albertus Magnus Saturday

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team split its doubleheader games at intrastate and conference rivals Albertus Magnus College (AMC) Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at the Shea Softball Complex in New Haven, Conn. The Blue Jays fell in game one, 1-0, before coming back to defeat the falcons, 3-2, in extra innings to close out the day.
 
GAME ONE
Score: USJ 0, AMC 1
Records: USJ (11-11, 2-3 GNAC), AMC (11-12, 4-1 GNAC)
Location: Shea Softball Complex | New Haven, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Freshman Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) was on fire inside the circle to start the game, keeping the Falcons off the scoreboard in the opening two frames, as the game remained scoreless through two. The Blue Jays nearly broke open the scoring in the top of the third, as freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) led off the inning with a double to right. Sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) continued the rally with a single up the middle, getting runners on the corner. The Falcons would pick up two quick outs, but senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) drew a walk to load the bases. However, AMC was able to pick up the final out in the next at-bat, keeping USJ off the scoreboard.

The Falcons gained the edge in the bottom of the third, utilizing a sacrifice bunt to take a 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays though would be shut down at the plate in the remainder of the game, as AMC narrowly took game one, 1-0.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Ouellette pitched a gem inside the circle, throwing a one hitter and four strikeouts, but picked up the loss (3-3) after allowing one run.

AMC – Annabelle Jabs earned the complete game shutout victory (2-3), allowing no runs of six hits and tallying seven strikeouts.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 3, AMC 2 – 8 innings
Records: USJ (12-11, 3-3 GNAC), AMC (11-13, 4-2 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Blue Jays looked to break open the scoring in the first inning, putting two runners in scoring position, but would have to wait until the top of the second to take the lead. Ouellette began the inning with a leadoff single, before senior catcher Kelsie LaHouse (Coventry, Conn.) drew a walk to get two runners on base. A sacrifice bunt from freshman Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) moved the runners to second and third allowing Fairfax to hit a ball into the infield, allowing Ouellette to beat a tag at home and give USJ a 1-0 lead. Starting pitcher sophomore Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) threw a gem of a game in the finale, recording three strikeouts to keep the Falcons off the scoreboard heading into the fifth inning. AMC would fight back, scoring in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 1-1, as the score line held through seven innings, sending the game into extras.

AMC quickly recorded two outs to start the top of the eighth, but USJ utilized clutch two-out hitting to reestablish the lead. Freshman infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) continued her hotstreak at the plate, slashing a triple to right to bring home junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.), who started the inning on second, before Ouellete notched a single in the next at bat, plating Volinsky to see USJ take a 3-1 edge. The Falcons looked to make the comeback, scoring a run in the bottom of the eighth, but ROberts was able to pick up the final two outs, preserving a 3-2 win for the Blue Jays.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts earned the complete game victory in game two (5-4), allowing two runs, one of which was earned, off five hits while tallying seven strikeouts on the day.

AMC – Skylar Arent picked up the loss for AMC (2-3), allowing three runs, two of which were earned, off eight hits in 8.0 innings of work.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"It was a good team effort today. It was two well pitched games by Kaitlyn and Alyssa, the defense once again was solid and we had some timely hits in the second game."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays take a quick break from GNAC play, returning to the USJ Softball Field for a nonconference doubleheader against John Jay College on Tuesday, April 11. First pitch against the Bloodhounds in West Hartford, Conn. is set for 3:00 p.m.

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