Posted: May 02, 2026
Softball Concludes 2026 Season in GNAC Pod Play Saturday
Saint Joseph (Conn.)
(24-18, 11-7)
1
Simmons
(22-18, 14-4)
3
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
|
Simmons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | X | 3 | 4 | 1 |
Emmanuel (Mass.)
(15-23, 13-5)
2
Saint Joseph (Conn.)
(24-18, 11-7)
0
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Emmanuel (Mass.) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
BRIGHTON, Mass. – The South Division second‑seeded University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team saw its 2026 season come to a close Saturday, falling twice during Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament Pod A play at Daly Field in Brighton, Mass. The Blue Jays dropped their winner's‑bracket game to host and North Division top seed Simmons University, 3–1, before falling to North Division fourth seed Emmanuel College, 2–0, in an elimination contest. With the results, USJ finished the 2026 season with a 24–18 overall record.
GAME ONE: USJ 1, SIMMONS 3
HOW IT HAPPENED
-
After a scoreless first inning, USJ struck in the second as sophomore infielder Kayla Phelps (Wolcott, Conn.) lifted a sacrifice fly that brought senior outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) home, giving the Blue Jays a 1–0 edge.
-
Senior pitcher Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) held the Simmons lineup at bay early, recording the 100th strikeout of her career after striking out two batters in the bottom of the second to preserve the lead.
-
The game remained a pitcher's duel until the Sharks scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3–1 advantage.
-
USJ threatened late but was unable to push across another run, as Simmons held on for the victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
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Junior infielder Jennifer Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.) paced the offense with a 2‑for‑3 performance.
-
Phelps accounted for the Blue Jays' lone RBI.
-
Escarraman took the loss (9–4), allowing three runs on four hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings.
-
Ouellette tossed 1.1 shutout innings in relief, recording two strikeouts.
GAME TWO: USJ 0, EMMANUEL 2
HOW IT HAPPENED
-
USJ nearly struck early as freshman infielder Gracie Browne (Bristol, Conn.) put runners on the corners with no outs following a perfectly placed bunt, but the Blue Jays were unable to capitalize as Emmanuel escaped the inning unscathed.
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Escarraman carried her strong performance into game two, stifling the Saints' lineup as the contest remained scoreless through four innings.
-
Emmanuel broke through with a solo home run in the fifth to take a 1–0 lead and added an insurance run in the seventh. The Saints held USJ off the board in the bottom half to secure the 2–0 victory and eliminate the Blue Jays.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
-
Antonowicz posted another 2‑for‑3 outing to lead the offense.
-
Browne recorded the lone stolen base for USJ.
-
Escarraman took the loss (9–5), allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two over 6.2 innings.
-
Ouellette recorded the final 0.2 innings in relief.
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