Softball Splits GNAC Doubleheader with Dean Sunday Afternoon

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team split a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) South Division doubleheader with Dean College (Dean) Sunday afternoon on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. The Blue Jays took game one in convincing fashion, 9-1, after six innings, but fell in game two after five innings, 9-0.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 9, Dean 1 – 6 innings
Records: USJ (16-14, 4-3 GNAC), Dean (2-22-1, 0-9 GNAC)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a scoreless first inning, USJ quickly took the lead in the bottom of the second. With one out, freshman Alexis Volinsky (Newington, Conn.), reached on an error, advancing to second to get in prime scoring position. The Bulldogs would pick up a second out, but fellow freshman McKenzie Fairfax (Wolcott, Conn.) launched a triple to the right center gap, plating Volinsky and establishing a 1-0 USJ lead after two innings.

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) continued her stellar outing in the top of the third, setting down Dean in order, preserving the lead. Junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) rewarded her pitcher, notching a leadoff single, before advancing to third. Senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) took full advantage of the situation, tallying a single of her own, plating Milardo to extend the lead to 2-0. Volinsky increased the gap to 3-0 to end the inning, launching a single to left, plating Masiello, but Ouellette was tagged out at third to put an end to the USJ run.

Ouellette continued to throw a gem in game one, but the Bulldogs were able to score in the top of the fifth, cutting the gap to 3-1. USJ though responded in kind in the bottom of the frame, as sophomore first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) began the inning with a double to left. Masiello again utilized clutch hitting, ripping a double to center, plating freshman Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.), who came in to pinch run for Roberts, to score, increasing the lead back to two, 4-1. Ouellette continued the run parade two batters later, notching a double of her own, scoring Masiello to establish a 5-1 USJ edge.

The Blue Jays looked to put the game to rest in the bottom of the sixth, as Fairfax, sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) and Milardo all reached base to begin the bottom of the sixth, setting up a bases loaded opportunity for Roberts. Roberts was not fazed by the scenario, launching a walk-off grand slam over the left center fence, enacting the run rule to give USJ a 9-1 victory in game one.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Ouellette took home the complete game victory in game one (5-4), allowing one run off five hits, while tallying four strikeouts.

DEAN – Jessica Stewart received the start in game one, picking up the loss (0-3) after allowing nine runs, seven of which were earned, off 12 hits in 5.0 innings of work.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 0, Dean 9 – 5 innings
Records: USJ (16-15, 4-4 GNAC), Dean (3-22-1, 1-9 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Dean would strike first in the second game, taking a 1-0 edge after the opening inning. The Bulldogs continued their strong start, taking on two runs in the top of the third to increase the gap to 3-0. The Bulldogs put the game to rest in the top of the fourth, scoring six runs to hold a 9-0 lead, while the Blue Jays were shut down offensively, as Dean took game two, 9-0.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts saw the start in game two, picking up the loss (7-6) after allowing four runs off six hits. Freshman Tessa D'Aquila (Old Saybrook, Conn.) entered the game in relief of Roberts, but faced only four batters, allowing four runs and no hits. Ouellette threw the remaining 1.2 innings in relief, allowing one run off one hit while recording two strikeouts.

DEAN – Jilian Glynn pitched a one-hitter to pick up the win in game two (2-10), allowing no runs while tossing two strikeouts.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays round out a 10-game homestand, hosting GNAC North Division foe Anna Maria College for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 22. Saturday's doubleheader serves as Senior Day for the Blue Jays, who will honor the senior class of 2023 prior to first pitch in game one. First pitch in game one is set for noon on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn.

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