Softball Falls to Crown and Alfred State on Final Day of Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic

GAME ONE | USJ 2, CROWN 9

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ struck first in the bottom of the first inning when junior infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) scored on a wild pitch to give the Blue Jays an early 1–0 lead.
• Crown responded in the top of the second with three runs to take a 3–1 advantage.
• The Polars added four more runs in the third to extend the lead to 7–1.
• Crown continued to keep the USJ offense in check, scoring twice in the sixth to push the margin to 9–1.
• The Blue Jays answered in the bottom of the sixth as sophomore outfielder Lorynes Suriel (Lynn, Mass.) lined an RBI single through the left side to score senior outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.), cutting the deficit to 9–2.
• The rally was not enough, however, as Crown held on for the 9–2 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Five different Blue Jays recorded hits in the opener.
• Suriel drove in the lone USJ run.
• Antonowicz drew one walk.
• Senior Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) took the loss (2–3), allowing seven runs—six earned—on 10 hits over 3.0 innings.
• Sophomore Brenna Lyver (Enfield, Conn.) worked 4.0 innings in relief, surrendering two runs on five hits while striking out three.

GAME TWO | USJ 10, ALFRED STATE 12

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ opened the scoring in the top of the second inning as junior outfielder Rachel Brewer‑Karimi (Torrington, Conn.) beat out an RBI infield single, plating sophomore infielder Kayla Phelps (Wolcott, Conn.) for a 1–0 lead.
• Three batters later, senior Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.) added another RBI infield single to score Brewer‑Karimi and extend the advantage to 2–0.
• Alfred State responded with five runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 5–2 lead.
• After a scoreless third, USJ cut into the deficit in the fourth when Antonowicz ripped a two‑RBI single up the middle, pulling the Blue Jays within one at 5–4.
• The Pioneers answered with a run in the fourth and four more in the fifth to stretch the lead to 10–4.
• USJ responded in the sixth as Ouellette delivered a two‑RBI single to make it 10–6, but Alfred State answered again with two runs in the bottom of the inning to regain a six‑run cushion at 12–6.
• The Blue Jays mounted a late rally in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs. Antonowicz drove in a run with an RBI single down the right‑field line, and Fitch followed with a two‑RBI single. An error by the Alfred State shortstop allowed another run to score, cutting the deficit to 12–10.
• The Pioneers, however, recorded the final out to halt the comeback and secure the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Antonowicz led the offense with a perfect 4‑for‑4 performance and a team‑high three RBI.
• Fitch and Brewer‑Karimi added multi‑hit games with three and two hits, respectively.
• Fitch also drove in three runs.
• Brewer‑Karimi and senior outfielder Avianna Ibrahim (Colchester, Conn.) each stole a base.
• Senior Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) took the loss (0–2), allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out five over 3.2 innings.
• Lyver pitched 1.1 innings of relief, surrendering four runs on four hits with one strikeout.
• Ouellette threw the final inning, allowing two runs on one hit.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to Connecticut to open their home slate, hosting the University of Mount Saint Vincent for a non‑conference doubleheader on Friday, March 20. First pitch of game one at USJ Softball Field is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

FOLLOW
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