Softball Splits Rain Soaked Doubleheader with Emmanuel at Home Saturday

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team split a doubleheader against the visiting Emmanuel College (Emmanuel) Saints Saturday afternoon on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. The Blue Jays fell in game one, before winning game two in dramatic fashion after a lengthy rain delay. The games do not count towards the GNAC standings, as the Saints are in the North Division, while the Blue Jays are in the South Division.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 2, Emmanuel 5
Records: USJ (14-14), Emmanuel (14-11)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After keeping the Saints off the scoreboard to start the game, USJ quickly established a lead in the bottom of the first. Sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) lead off the inning with a walk, advancing to second after a perfect Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) sacrifice bunt. Sophomore first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) followed the sac bunt with a walk of her own, setting up senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) to slash a double to left, plating both Zup and Roberts to give USJ a 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays quickly made it 2-0 in the bottom of the second, as a single to center by senior third baseman Kelsie LaHouse (Coventry, Conn.) enabled freshman Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) to score.

The Saints responded in the top of the third though, scoring thrice to take a 3-2 edge. Emmanuel used the big inning to take all the momentum, setting the Blue Jays down in order in the next four innings, while adding onto their lead with two runs in the top of the fifth frame, holding a 5-2 lead heading into the seventh. The deficit ultimately proved too much for USJ as Emmanuel took game one, 5-2.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Freshman Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) pitched a complete game inside the circle, picking up the loss (4-5), allowing five runs, four of which were earned, off six hits, tossing six strikeouts.

EMMANUEL – Tianna Dawe earned the complete game victory in game one (7-10), allowing two runs off three hits, tossing six strikeouts.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 8, Emmanuel 7
Records: USJ (15-14), Emmanuel (14-12)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Blue Jays started game two much like the first, jumping out to an early lead. Roberts and Zup stood on the corners with two outs, setting up sophomore Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) to slash a two-RBI double to right center, establishing a 2-0 USJ edge. Freshman second baseman Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) continued the run parade in the next at-bat, slashing a single to the left center gap, plating Catalani to see the Blue Jays lead 3-0 after the opening frame.

The Saints cut the gap to one, 3-2, after plating two runs in the top of the second, but ZUp quickly responded in the bottom half of the frame, notching a single down the right field line to score freshman Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) to reestablish a two-run lead, 4-2, through two innings. Emmanuel threatened in the top of the third, getting two runners on base, but starting pitcher Roberts, shut the door, not allowing Emmanuel to cut into the lead. The score would hold until the sixth inning as the game turned into a pitcher's duel during the middle innings.

Emmanuel began the top of the sixth by getting their first two batters on base, setting up a prime scoring chance. However, the weather took a turn for the worse, as rain and lightning forced a two-hour delay. The Saints utilized the stoppage in play to full effect, exploding for five runs to take a 7-4 lead. However, USJ would not go down easy, tying the game in the bottom of the frame. With two outs, Milardo slashed a double to right center, allowing Conger, who drew a walk earlier in the frame, to score, cutting the deficit to 7-5. In the next at-bat, Roberts slashed a double to left center, scoring Milardo and pulling the Blue Jays back within one, 7-6. Catalani later completed the comeback, singling back up the middle, scoring pinch runner Ouellette, to tie the game at 7-7.

Roberts rewarded her offense by keeping the Saints off the board in the top of the seventh, setting up a walk-off scenario for USJ. Freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) lead of the inning with a hard hit single up the middle. The Blue Jays then tried to execute a sacrifice bunt int the next at-bat, but the Saints made a great defensive play to keep Fairfax on first. Conger then stepped up with one out, laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt of her own to try and advance Fairfax to second. Advancing to second ultimately was not Fairfax's goal, as she rounded second base and headed towards third. Fairfax would not need to beat out the throw as it sailed past Emmanuel's third baseman, allowing Fairfax to get to her feet after her slide and cross home plate, securing the walk off win for USJ, 8-7.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts earned the complete game victory in the circle in game two (7-5) allowing seven runs off 10 hits while striking out five Saints.

EMMANUEL – Mackenzie Briggs got the start in game two, earning a no-decision after allowing four runs off seven hits in 1.2 innings of work. Madison Hinkley tossed 3.1 innings in relief, allowing no runs off two hits. Dawe would pick up the loss (7-11), allowing four runs, three of which were earned, off four hits in 1.2 innings of work. Dawe was responsible for letting Fairfax on base in the final inning.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"We showed a lot of character coming back to win that second game after a long rain delay. Many players did a lot of good things today, and it was the little things like cutting a ball off in the outfield, hitting the cuts, putting a bunt down, and smart baserunning that made the difference."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays waste little time returning to the diamond, hosting GNAC South Division foe Dean College, tomorrow, Sunday April 16 for a doubleheader on the USJ Softball Field. First pitch against the Bulldogs in game one is set for noon.

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays