Softball Sweeps GNAC South Division Doubleheader Against Elms on Wednesday

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team swept a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) South Division doubleheader against Elms College on Wednesday afternoon at the USJ Softball Field. The Blue Jays took the opener, 10–0, in five innings, before completing the sweep with a 9–1 victory in five innings in the finale. With the wins, USJ improved to 16–10 overall and 7–1 in GNAC play, while the Blazers fell to 0–21 overall and 0–8 in conference action.

GAME ONE | USJ 10, ELMS 0 (FIVE INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• USJ erupted for six runs in the bottom of the first to take early control. After loading the bases with one out, sophomore infielder Kayla Phelps (Wolcott, Conn.) cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple to left-center.
• Later in the inning, sophomore catcher Sadie Girgasky (Bethlehem, Conn.) added an RBI single, and senior outfielder Avianna Ibrahim (Colchester, Conn.) capped the rally with a two-RBI triple to left, giving the Blue Jays a 6–0 advantage.
• The Blue Jays added two more runs in the second. Phelps delivered an RBI double to left before later scoring on a stolen base by sophomore infielder Gabby Marichal (Lynn, Mass.), extending the lead to 8–0.
• USJ tacked on another run in the third as junior outfielder Rachel Brewer-Karimi (Torrington, Conn.) lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, plating freshman infielder Gracie Browne (Bristol, Conn.) and making it 9–0.
• In the fourth, the Blue Jays pushed across their final run when Phelps scored on a fielding error, stretching the advantage to 10–0.
• Senior pitcher Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) handled the rest in the circle, keeping Elms off the scoreboard to secure the run-rule victory in five innings.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Phelps led the offense with a three-RBI performance, finishing with a triple and a double.
• Ibrahim added a triple and two RBI, while Girgasky also drove in a run.
• Junior infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) swiped a team-best two steals.
• Senior Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) notched her 100th career hit.
• Escarraman earned the complete-game shutout victory (4-2), allowing three hits and striking out six.

GAME TWO | USJ 9, ELMS 1 (FIVE INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Elms struck first in the top of the first, scoring on a groundout to take a 1–0 lead.
• USJ responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Antonowicz led off with a triple before sophomore infielder Camille Jones (Lawrence Twp., N.J.) drove her in with an RBI triple to tie the game. Ouellette followed with an RBI single to give the Blue Jays a 2–1 edge, and Brewer-Karimi capped the inning with an RBI triple, extending the lead to 3–1.
• After a scoreless second, USJ added to its advantage in the third. Brewer-Karimi delivered again with a two-RBI single down the right-field line, scoring senior outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) and Phelps to make it 5–1.
• The Blue Jays continued to capitalize in the fourth, as Phelps laced an RBI double to left-center before Ibrahim reached on an error that allowed another run to score, pushing the lead to 7–1.
• USJ sealed the run-rule victory in the fifth. Antonowicz delivered an RBI single to plate Browne, and Ouellette lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Antonowicz, securing the 9–1 win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Brewer-Karimi led the offense with three RBI, going 2-for-2 at the plate.
• Antonowicz, Ellis, Jones, and Browne each notched two hits.
• Ouellette tallied two RBI.
• Four different Blue Jays stole a base.
• Sophomore pitcher Brenna Lyver (Enfield, Conn.) earned the win (2-1), allowing one run on one hit while striking out two.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays open a six-game road trip with a GNAC inter-divisional doubleheader against Simmons University on Saturday, April 11. First pitch against the Sharks at Daly Field in Brighton, Mass., is set for noon.

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