Softball Extends Win Streak to Four, Sweeps Elms During GNAC Doubleheader Monday

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team continued its perfect start to conference play, sweeping a doubleheader against Elms College (Elms) Monday afternoon on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. The blue Jays defeated the Blazers by identical 7-2 score lines in both games.
 
GAME ONE
Score: USJ 7, Elms 2
Records: USJ (10-8, 1-0 GNAC), Elms (1-12, 0-3 GNAC)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After the Blue Jays set the Blazers down in order to start the game, the offense wasted little time to take the lead. Freshman Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) reached first after an Elms error, allowing sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) to slash a triple, plating Ouellette to give USJ a 1-0 edge. Freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) quickly increased the lead to 2-0, hitting a ball deep into the infield to see Zup touch home plate.

The Blazers threatened to cut the gap in the top of the second, putting runners on the corners, but Ouellette closed the door, securing the final out and keeping Elms off the board. The Blue Jays rewarded their pitcher in the bottom half of the frame, as freshman Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) slashed a double down the left field line to get into scoring position. Two batters later, classmate Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) launched a two-run shot over the centerfield fence, increasing the gap to 4-0.

The USJ offense continued to fire on all cylinders in the bottom of the third, as the Blue Jays used clutch two-out hitting. Fairfax started the stretch with a single, advancing home after a RBI double from senior third baseman Liliana Stoddard (Waterford, Conn.). USJ followed up the double with two more two-baggers, as sophomore first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) and Ellis recorded doubles to increase the lead to 7-0 after three innings.

Elms though would respond in the top of the fifth, plating two runs to cut the gap to 7-2. However, the Blazers would not get any closer, as Ouellette closed the door in the seventh, recording two strikeouts to preserve a 7-2 victory in game one.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Ouellete earned the complete game victory (3-1) after allowing two runs, one of which was earned, off six hits, tossing four strikeouts on the day.

ELMS – Jayden Dow picked up the loss inside the circle for Elms (1-11) allowing seven runs, five of which were earned, off 12 hits, while tossing three strikeouts.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 7, Elms 2
Records: USJ (11-8, 2-0 GNAC), Elms (1-13, 0-4 GNAC)

After a scoreless start to the game, the Blazers looked to take the lead in the top of the second. Elms loaded the bases, but freshman pitcher Tessa D'Aquila (Old Saybrook, Conn.) who entered the game in relief with one out, stranded all three Blazers on base, recording the final two outs without surrendering a run. The Blue Jays rewarded their relief pitcher, exploding for six runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Ellis, senior catcher Kelsie LaHouse (Coventry, Conn.), and junior infielder Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.) began the inning with three straight walks to load the bases. Sophomore third baseman Emily Beyer (Prospect, Conn.) ripped a single to left field, plating LaHouse and Ellis to establish a 2-0 USJ edge. Volinsky then went to the plate, launching her a three-run home run, increasing the lead to 5-0. Senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) rounded out the big inning, slashing a double to the right venter gap, bringing home Milardo to establish a 6-0 USJ edge.

Zup added a final insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, slashing an RBI single to score pinch runner freshman Devan Fox (Granville, Mass.), extending the lead to 7-0. The Blazers tried to mount a late comeback, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh, but the Blue Jays held on, securing the win, 7-2, and the sweep against Elms.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Freshman Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) saw the start in game two, but only pitched 1.1 innings before exiting due to an injury. D'Aquila picked up the win (1-1) throwing the remaining 5.2 innings in relief, allowing two runs, none of which were earned, off three hits, tallying two strikeouts.

ELMS – Kyla Cook got the start in game two and picked up the loss (0-1) after allowing five runs off two hits in 1.0 inning of work. Dow threw the remaining 5.0 innings in relief, allowing two runs off five hits.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"I thought we played well the last few days picking up 4 wins. Our pitching was key as Alyssa, Kaitlyn, Paige and Tessa were outstanding. Everybody on defense is doing their job and our hitting has been solid. It's a team effort and we need to continue that way through the next part of our schedule".

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays remain at home for another GNAC doubleheader, welcoming Johnson & Wales University to the USJ Softball Field on Wednesday, April 5. First pitch against the Wildcats in game one is set for 3:00 p.m.

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