Softball Sweeps GNAC‑Opening Doubleheader Against Saint Joseph’s College on Sunday

GAME ONE | USJ 9, SJC 1 (FIVE INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monks struck first, plating a run in the top of the first to take a 1–0 lead.
• USJ answered in the bottom of the second when sophomore catcher Sadie Girgasky (Bethlehem, Conn.) delivered an RBI single to center field, tying the game at 1–1.
• Two batters later, senior outfielder Avianna Ibrahim (Colchester, Conn.) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing senior outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) to score and give USJ a 2–1 advantage.
• Junior infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) followed with an RBI single through the right side to extend the lead to 3–1.
• Freshman infielder Gracie Browne (Bristol, Conn.) later scored on a wild pitch to make it 4–1 before senior outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Bristol, Conn.) laid down a bunt that brought Antonowicz home, pushing the lead to 5–1.
• The Blue Jays continued to pour it on as junior catcher Sydney Robison (Clinton, Conn.) drew a walk on a ball-four wild pitch that allowed junior outfielder Rachel Brewer-Karimi (Torrington, Conn.) to score, making it 6–1.
• Sophomore infielder Kayla Phelps (Wolcott, Conn.) followed with a two-RBI double to the left-center gap, extending the lead to 8–1. Phelps later scored on a throwing error by the Monks' first baseman, capping the scoring at 9–1 after two innings.
• Senior pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) held SJC in check the rest of the way as USJ secured the run-rule victory, 9–1, in five innings.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Phelps led the offense, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI.
• Ellis drew a game-high two walks.
• Ouellette and Browne each stole a base.
• Fekete earned the win (3–4), allowing one run on three hits while striking out two in a complete-game effort.

GAME TWO | USJ 7, SJC 1 (FIVE INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After two scoreless innings, the Monks broke through with a run in the top of the third to take a 1–0 lead.
• USJ responded in the bottom half of the inning as Ouellette recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice, tying the game at 1–1.
• The Blue Jays took control in the fourth when Brewer-Karimi delivered a two-RBI single to left field, giving USJ a 3–1 advantage.
• USJ added to its lead later in the inning as Antonowicz and Brewer-Karimi both scored on wild pitches, stretching the margin to 5–1.
• SJC threatened in the top of the fifth, loading the bases, but sophomore pitcher Brenna Lyver (Enfield, Conn.) entered in relief with two outs and induced the final out on her first pitch to preserve the lead.
• USJ tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, beginning with a Browne sacrifice bunt that brought sophomore infielder Camille Jones (Lawrence Township, N.J.) home to make it 6–1.
• In the next at-bat, sophomore catcher Abi Julian (Stafford Springs, Conn.) drew a walk, and a ball-four wild pitch allowed Ellis to score, extending the lead to 7–1.
• The game was then called due to inclement weather, securing the 7–1 win and the sweep for USJ.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Antonowicz and Brewer-Karimi recorded USJ's lone hits in game two.
• Ellis and Julian each drew a team-high two walks.
• Phelps, Browne and sophomore outfielder Lorynes Suriel (Lynn, Mass.) each stole a base.
• Senior Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) earned the win (2–2), allowing one run on three hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings.
• Lyver recorded the save (1), retiring the only batter she faced.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays wrap up a six-game homestand with a GNAC South Division doubleheader against Lasell University on Saturday, March 28. First pitch at the USJ Softball Field is set for noon.

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