Softball Earns Critical GNAC South Division Sweep Over Regis

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team kept its playoff hopes alive with a Saturday sweep in a doubleheader against the Pride of Regis College, taking game one in a barn-burner, 2-1, before pulling away in game two, 5-1, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) South Division doubleheader at the USJ Softball Field.

GAME ONE
Score: Regis 1, Saint Joseph 2
Records: REGIS 9-19 (5-6 GNAC), USJ 15-17 (5-8 GNAC)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

KEY MOMENTS

• Game one was primarily a pitcher's duel as both teams struggled to get runs home. Senior captain Frankie Ferrante (Southington, Conn.) was 2-for-3 at the plate providing both hits for USJ in the opener, including a clutch one-out RBI double to deep center field off the wall to bring the tying run home in the bottom of the sixth inning. She had both of USJ's hits on the game, and has continued to be the Blue Jays' most reliable (and clutch) hitter of the 2022 season.
• Freshman Alexandra Silver (Vernon, Conn.) drove in the game-winning run with a RBI ground out to score freshman Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) right after Ferrante's double in the bottom of the sixth inning.
• The game was commanded well in the circle by freshman Amanda Savinelli (New Haven, Conn.), who time and time again escaped jams as the Pride put them forward. Regis managed the first run of the game on a single through the right side in the top of the fifth, but it would score no more, as Savinelli held the Pride to just one run on six hits.
• Regis snagged a two-out single in the top of the seventh to keep the pressure on the rookie pitcher, but Savinelli dug in and produced the final out via a flyout to secure the win.

IN THE CIRCLE

REGIS – Freshman pitcher Kate McGrath (Boston, Mass.) was dealt the tough-luck loss to dip to 4-6 on the season, allowing two runs on just two hits in six innings of work. She struck out four and walked two.

USJ – Savinelli twirled her seventh complete game of the 2022 season and improved to 7-11 overall with the win, spinning a five-hit, one-run performance over seven strong innings. She fanned four and only walked one.

GAME TWO
Score: Regis 1, Saint Joseph 5
Records: REGIS 9-20 (5-7 GNAC), USJ 16-17 (6-8 GNAC)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

KEY MOMENTS

• The game was owned by junior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) and senior hurler Natalie Amato (Cheshire, Conn.), who threw a gem of a game on top of a two-double, three-RBI performance from the Cromwell Crusher. It marked the second game this season with multiple doubles for Masiello (April 2 game one versus Elms). Masiello's seven doubles on the season is currently second only to Ferrante (12). She launhed a three-RBI double in the bottom of the fourth, which broke the game open and turned out to be the game-winning hit.
• Amato kept the Pride at bay from start to finish, with the only run coming off a RBI single with two outs after an error. Amato's 2.19 ERA is currently second-best in the GNAC, while her 73 strikeouts on the season is currently the fifth-best mark in the conference.  
• USJ has now won five of its last six games and appears to be peaking at the right time ahead of its final home doubleheader of the 2022 season on Sunday versus Norwich.

IN THE CIRCLE

REGIS – Sophomore Jilian Glynn (Londonderry. N.H.) was dealt the loss and dips to 2-5 overall on the year, allowing five runs (1 ER) on eight hits in six innings of work. She struck out three.

USJ – Amato was fully in control Saturday with ten strikeouts on her way to a three-hitter, surrendering just one run (unearned). She did not issue a single walk on the day and moves to 3-2 on the season with the triumph.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"Those were two big wins for us today. It puts us in a good position for the playoff hunt. The first game was another good comeback win that got things going. Amanda Savinelli pitched so well and Frankie Ferrante continues to come up with big hits. It was great to have Natalie Amato back for the second game. She pitched very well and Jenna Masiello had the key hit to break the game open. Now we move on and focus our attention to tomorrow against Norwich."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays host the Cadets of Norwich University for their final home doubleheader of the 2022 regular season and Senior Day. The battle will ensue on Sunday, April 24 at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. respectively on the USJ Softball Field. Fans who can't make it can head to www.usjbluejays.com to keep up with all the action!

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