Softball Sweeps GNAC South Division Doubleheader Against Lasell on Saturday

GAME ONE | USJ 9, LASELL 1 (FIVE INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lasell grabbed a quick lead, scoring once in the top of the first to take a 1–0 advantage.
• USJ responded immediately in the bottom of the inning, as a Lasell error allowed junior infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) to score and tie the game at 1–1.
• In the next at-bat, senior outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) delivered an RBI single to right field, giving the Blue Jays a 2–1 lead after one.
• The Blue Jays added to their lead in the second, loading the bases with two outs. Senior outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) drew a walk to bring home senior outfielder Avianna Ibrahim (Colchester, Conn.), extending the advantage to 3–1.
• In the following at-bat, another Lasell error allowed two more runs to score, pushing the lead to 5–1 through two innings.
• Ibrahim continued the scoring in the third, launching a solo home run off the scoreboard in left field to make it 6–1.
• USJ broke the game open in the fourth, as a third Lasell error allowed Ouellette to score, extending the lead to 7–1. Moments later, sophomore catcher Sadie Girgasky (Bethlehem, Conn.) lined a two-RBI single up the middle to cap the scoring at 9–1.
• Senior pitcher Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) then retired the side in order in the fifth to secure the run-rule victory for USJ, 9–1.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Ibrahim and Ellis each went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate.
• Junior outfielder Rachel Brewer-Karimi (Torrington, Conn.) also recorded two hits.
• Ibrahim's home run was her first of the season.
• Girgasky drove in a team-high two runs.
• Ibrahim and Brewer-Karimi each stole a base.
• Escarraman earned the complete-game victory (3–2), allowing one unearned run on six hits while striking out four.

GAME TWO | USJ 5, LASELL 4

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ struck first in game two as Ellis recorded a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first, plating Brewer-Karimi for a 1–0 lead.
• Lasell answered in the top of the third, scoring twice to take a 2–1 advantage.
• Brewer-Karimi responded in the bottom of the fourth with a two-RBI double down the left-field line, putting the Blue Jays back in front, 3–2.
• The Lasers quickly regained the lead, scoring two runs in the top of the fifth to make it 4–3.
• USJ evened the score in the bottom half of the inning, as freshman infielder Gracie Browne (Bristol, Conn.) delivered a clutch RBI single to tie the game at 4–4.
• Ouellette came through in the sixth, lining an RBI single to left field to give USJ a 5–4 lead heading into the seventh.
• Senior pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) closed the door in the final frame, securing the 5–4 victory and the doubleheader sweep.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Ouellette paced the offense in game two with a 3-for-4 outing at the plate.
• Brewer-Karimi talleid her second consecutive multi-hit game, finishign with two base knocks while recording a team-high two RBI.
• She also stole the lone base for USJ in game two.
• Sophomore Brenna Lyver (Enfield, Conn.) got the start in the finale, reciving a no-decision after surrendering four runs off five hits, while tossing five strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.
• Fekete tossed the remaining 2.2 innings in relief, reciving the victory (4-4) after tossing a shutout while giving up only one hit and recording one strikeout.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays return to the diamond tomorrow, Sunday, March 29, heading to Franklin, Mass., for a GNAC South Division doubleheader against Dean College. First pitch against the Bulldogs at the Longley Athletic Complex is set for 11:00 a.m.

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