Softball Opens GNAC Tournament at Rival Albertus Magnus Tuesday

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The South Division fifth seeded University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team begins its quest for a third Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship, traveling to face South Division four seed and conference rivals Albertus Magnus College (AMC), in the GNAC First Round on Tuesday, April 30. First pitch against the Falcons is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Shea Softball Complex in New Haven, Conn.

 
#5S USJ BLUE JAYS (16-22) at #4S ALBERTUS MAGNUS FALCONS (21-18) 
LOCATION: Shea Softball Complex (New Haven, Conn.) 
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, April 30 (3:30 p.m.)
LIVE STATS: Live Stats 
TWITTER: @USJ_BlueJays | #FearTheFlock | #GoBlueJays 
 
USJ QUICK HITS 

• USJ earned the fifth seed in the South Division after posting a record of 16-22 overall, a 7-9 mark in the GNAC and a 6-8 record in the South Division.
• The Blue Jays are paced by sophomore infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) Volinsky paces the team with a .337 batting average, 34 total hits, two triples and two RBIs. She also has recorded eight doubles, 15 RBIs, 22 runs scored and 12 walks.
• Junior shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) has been an RBI machiene for USJ in 2024, posting a team-high 25 RBI.
• Sophomore outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) has showcased her plate discipline this season, drawing a team-high 25 walks, the second most in the GNAC.
• Sophomore pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) leads the USJ pitching staff, posting a 6-9 record with a team-best 2.87 ERA, 49 strikeouts and 1.49 WHIP.
• The Blue Jays are looking for their third GNAC Title in program history, clinching the Championship in 2019 and 2000.

SCOUTING AMC

• AMC received the fourth seed in the South Division after posting a 21-18 record overall with a 13-5 mark in the GNAC and a 9-5 record in South Division play.
• Sophomore outfielder Paige Scheid (Cedar Grove, N.J.) paces the AMC offense with a .431 batting average, the fifth best mark in the conference. In total, Scheid has recorded 56 hits, eight doubles, two triples, 15 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 18 stolen bases.
• Junior Skylar Arent (Ridgefiled, Conn.) has also posted an impressive batting line, slashing .337/.446/.467
• Arent also leads the Falcons pitchign staff, posting a team best 3.71 ERA. She also boasts a 6-6 record and has tossed a team-high 29 strikeouts.
• Junior Amanda Savinelli (New Haven, Conn.) is the other starting pitcher for AMC, boasting a team best 5-2 record with a 5.17 ERA and 27 strikeouts.
• AMC boasts the best plate discipline in the league, drawing a GNAC-high 129 walks this season.
• The Falcons are looking for their second GNAC title in program history after winning the programs lone championship in 1997.

INSIDE THE SERIES 

• Tuesday marks the 66th all-time meeting between the Blue Jays and Falcons.
• USJ has a slim lead in the series, 34-31.
• Earlier this season, the Falcons swept the Blue Jays in a doubleheader in West Hartford.
• The Falcons have the advantage down in New Haven, leading 17-13 in games played at AMC.
• The matchup marks the first time that the two programs will meet in the postseason.

UP NEXT 
With a victory, the Blue Jays would advance to the double-elimination portion of the GNAC Playoffs, facing south-division first seed Lasell on Thursday, May 2. First pitch against the Lasers at Taylor Field in Newton, Mass., would be slated for 2:00 p.m.

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