Softball Drops GNAC Doubleheader at Lasell Friday Afternoon

NEWTON, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team dropped a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader on the road at Lasell University (Lasell), Friday afternoon on Taylor Field in Newton, Mass. The Lasers took game one in convincing fashion, 4-0, before edging out the Blue Jays in extra innings, 5-4, in game two.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 0, Lasell 4
Records: USJ (16-16, 4-5 GNAC), Lasell (23-10, 7-2 GNAC)
Location: Taylor Field | Newton, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Game one began as a pitcher's duel, as sophomore starter Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) kept the Lasers off the scoreboard, allowing only two hits and tossing two strikeouts during the opening three innings. However, Lasell would equally deny the Blue Jays at the plate, rewarding their pitcher in the bottom of the fourth, breaking the deadlock with two runs to take the lead. The hosts followed suit in the fifth, adding two runs to extend the gap to 4-0. The deficit ultimately proved too much for the Blue Jays as the Lasers took game one, 4-0.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts went the distance in game one, picking up the loss (7-7) after allowing four runs off 10 hits, while throwing three strikeouts in 6.0 innings of work.

LASELL – Eryn Sheeley pitched a gem in game one, tossing a one-hitter and throwing 13 strikeouts in 7.0 innings to earn the win (11-4).

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 5, Lasell 6 – 8 innings
Records: USJ (16-17, 4-6 GNAC), Lasell (24-10, 8-2 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The USJ offense looked to bounce back in game two, starting out strong in the top of the first. After a quick first out, junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.), Roberts and senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) loaded the bases with singles in consecutive at bats. Sophomore infielder Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) took full advantage of the situation, hitting a single to the outfield, sending Milardo home and establishing a 1-0 Blue Jays lead. However, the Lasers would get out of the inning without surrendering another run. Lasell wasted little time firing back, responding with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-1 lead after the first inning.

The Blue Jays looked to respond in the top of the third as Catalani continued her strong day at the plate, cutting the gap to 4-2 after an RBI single to left plated Roberts. USJ continued to chip away the the Lasell lead in the top of the fourth, as sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) and Ouellette got on base with one out to begin the inning. Lasell tried to put the inning away, securing a second out, but Roberts utilized an error by the Lasers pitcher, loading the bases for Masiello. The senior captain was not fazed by the situation, launching a single to left, scoring Milardo and Zup to tie the game at 4-4.

USJ completed the comeback in the top of the fifth, as a single to center by Zup allowed junior Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.) round home from second, swinging the lead back in USJ's favor, 5-4. However, a Lasell solo home run in the bottom of the frame tied the game at 5-5, while neither offense could secure the winning run, sending the game into extra innings. However, after keeping the Blue Jays off the board in the top of the eighth, the Lasers would secure the walk-off victory in the bottom of the frame, securing the win, 6-5.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Freshman Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) picked up the loss inside the circle (5-6), allowing six runs, five of which were earned, off 15 hits, tossing four strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work.

LASELL – Meghan Theall got the start in game two, taking a no decision after allowing four runs off nine hits in 4.0 innings of work. Abigail Fortin threw the remaining 4.0 innings in relief, earning the win (9-6) after allowing one run off three hits while striking out two Blue Jays.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays quickly return to the diamond, hosting Anna Maria College tomorrow, Saturday, April 22 for a GNAC doubleheader on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. The doubleheader also serves as senior day for USJ, who will honor the softball senior class of 2023. First pitch in game one against the AMCATS is set for noon.

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