Softball Splits Home‑Opening Doubleheader Against Mount Saint Vincent on Friday

GAME ONE | USJ 6, UMSV 8

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UMSV struck first, scoring twice in the top of the first inning before adding two more runs in the second to take an early 4–0 lead.
• The Dolphins continued to apply pressure, tacking on two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend the advantage to 8–0.
• USJ began to generate offense in the bottom of the fifth, as junior infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) slashed a bases‑loaded single to plate two runs and cut the deficit to 8–2.
• In the next at‑bat, junior Sydney Robison (Clinton, Conn.) entered as a pinch hitter and launched a three‑run home run over the left‑center fence—her first career home run—to narrow the gap to 8–5.
• Robison came through again in the bottom of the sixth, delivering a two‑out RBI single to bring the Blue Jays within two, 8–6.
• USJ was unable to complete the comeback, however, as the Dolphins held on for the 8–6 game‑one victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Robison went a perfect 2-for-2 with four RBI.
• Her home run was the first of her career and the first for USJ this season.
• Sophomore infielder Kayla Phelps (Wolcott, Conn.) recorded a multi‑hit game with two hits.
• Antonowicz drove in two runs.
• Senior Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) took the loss (2–4), allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits in 3.1 innings.
• Sophomore Brenna Lyver (Enfield, Conn.) threw the final 3.2 innings in relief, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits.

GAME TWO | USJ 10, UMSV 5

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) set the tone in the circle, striking out four batters across the first two innings to keep the Dolphins scoreless.
• USJ broke through in the bottom of the second as senior outfielder Avianna Ibrahim (Colchester, Conn.) ripped an RBI single through the left side to give the Blue Jays a 1–0 lead.
• UMSV answered in the top of the third with three runs to move ahead, 3–1.
• The Blue Jays responded immediately, as Ouellette delivered an RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to 3–2.
• Ouellette continued her strong performance in the fifth, tying the game with an RBI single to left field.
• Sophomore outfielder Lorynes Suriel (Lynn, Mass.) followed by putting the ball in play, allowing pinch runner Jaylynn Poll (Waterbury, Conn.) to score and give USJ a 4–3 advantage.
• In the next at‑bat, sophomore Sophia Onofrio (Naugatuck, Conn.) laid down a perfectly placed bunt to score Ouellette, before Ibrahim capped the inning with another RBI single to push the lead to 6–3.
• USJ extended the margin in the sixth inning, capitalizing on back‑to‑back UMSV errors to make it 8–3.
• A fielder's choice brought Phelps home, and Ibrahim rounded out her big day with an RBI single to give USJ a 10–3 lead entering the seventh.
• The Dolphins scored twice in the top of the seventh, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as USJ secured the 10–5 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Ibrahim led the offense with a perfect 4-for-4 performance and a team‑high three RBI.
• Antonowicz, Robison, Ouellette, and Rachel Brewer‑Karimi (Torrington, Conn.) each recorded two hits.
• Six different Blue Jays stole a base in game two.
• Escarraman earned the win (1–2), allowing three runs on six hits while striking out a season‑high eight in 5.2 innings.
• Ouellette pitched the final 1.1 innings, yielding two runs (one earned) on three hits.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays open Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at home on Sunday, March 22, hosting inter‑divisional opponent Saint Joseph's College of Maine. First pitch at the USJ Softball Field is set for noon.

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