SOFTBALL EARNS GNAC SPLIT WITH SAINT JOSEPH (CT)

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College and University of Saint Joseph (CT) softball teams earned a split decision in Sunday afternoon's Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader played at Roberto Clemente Field. USJ came out on top in a game-one nail biter by a score of 2-1 before EC regrouped for a 9-5 win in game two. The Saints are now 13-11 overall and 8-6 in GNAC play while the Blue Jays stand at 11-12 and 7-6 in the GNAC.

Prior to the start of the first game, both teams wore pink warm up t-shirts to commemorate their participation in the Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser. They also joined each other for a group photo to symbolize that everyone is on the same team in the fight against cancer. All proceeds raised are donated to the American Cancer Society. Click here to donate.

GAME ONE

In an old-fashion pitcher's duel, USJ junior Patti Sciglimpaglia (Norwalk, Conn.) outlasted EC junior Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) in the Blue Jays 2-1 victory. Sciglimpaglia went the distance, allowing one run on four hits while striking out four. Kilcoyne was the tough-luck loser, tossing seven innings of three-hit softball allowing two runs, both unearned, while striking out six.

After four scoreless innings, Emmanuel took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth following a solo home run by junior first baseman Susie Kieselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) to deep center field. The solo shot was her second of the year.

The Blue Jays came right back to take the 2-1 lead with a pair in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of a pair of Emmanuel miscues. Freshman right fielder Emily Ference (Berlin, Conn.) reached on an error to start the inning landing on second base after the play. Next up, freshman center fielder Shebly Tallman (Colchester, Conn.) singled down the left field line to drive in Ference and tie the score at 1-1. The throw to the plate would hit Ference and trickle down the first base line allowing Tallman to make a move to third on the play. Emmanuel tried to shoot her down at the hot corner but the throw sailed into left field and Tallman trotted home to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Emmanuel threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Kieselback reached first to lead off the inning following an error. Pinch runner Brooke Ames (Boylston, Mass.) moved into scoring position following a sacrifice bunt by freshman catcher Charlotte Powers (Peabody, Mass.) but the Saints left her stranded there as Sciglimpaglia retired the side for her eighth win of the year.

GAME TWO

In a game that saw a combined 28 hits, Emmanuel wasted no time to get on the board as junior shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) belted her team-leader fourth homer of the year to lead off the first inning and give the Saints a 1-0 lead. Junior second baseman Kerrianne Vulpis (East Rockaway, N.Y.) followed it up with a ground rule double to left and came around to score on an RBI single up the middle by freshman third baseman Abbey Alexiades (Kingston, Mass.) to make it 2-0.

The Saints made it 4-0 with two more in the second inning. After loading the bases with a walk by sophomore Erin Walsh (Granby, Conn.) and infield bunt singles by sophomore Cassey LePage (Somerset, Mass.) and Ames, Davis delivered a two-RBI single to the centerfield fence to make it 4-0.

The Blue Jays responded with five in the top of the third to take a 5-4 lead. Freshman Shelby Tallman (Colchester, Conn.) got the inning started with a one-out ground rule double to left and moved to third on a single by senior Sarah Miller (Southington, Conn.). Miller stole second to put two in scoring position for P. Sciglimpaglia who delivered with a two-RBI single to make it 4-2. Next up, sophomore designated player Ashley Tucker (Middletown, Conn.) tied the game with a two-run blast to deep centerfield for her fifth home run of the season. Junior shortstop Mary Sciglimpaglia (Norwalk, Conn.) kept the inning going with a ground rule double to left and came around to score the go-ahead run on an RBI single up the middle by senior Colleen Ecsedy (Ashford, Conn.) to account for the 5-4 score.

Alexiades didn't wait long to tie the game, blasting a solo shot to center to lead off the bottom of the third and make it 5-5. The Saints would threaten to regain the lead, loading the bases before USJ relief pitcher Emily Vigue (Lebanon, Conn.) worked out of the jam to keep the score at 5-all.

A four-run fifth opened the lead up to 9-5 for the Saints as Ames, junior outfielder Marianne Halas (Lynn, Mass.) and Davis all collected RBI singles in the frame.

The lead would hold up as EC junior relief pitcher Val Kiers (West Warwick, R.I.) was outstanding in relief tossing four scoreless innings of work to earn her first victory of the season, scattering six hits while striking out two. Vigue suffered the loss for Saint Joseph and falls to 0-1 on the year.

Davis finished game two with a 4-for-4 outing, driving in four runs while LePage finished the game 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Miller was 3-for-4 for Saint Joseph, scoring a run while M. Sciglimpaglia finished the contest going 2-for-4 with a run.

Emmanuel returns to action tomorrow afternoon when they head to Newton, Mass. for a GNAC twinbill against Mount Ida College starting at 3:00 PM. University of Saint Joseph in back on Tuesday, April 14 when they host Saint Joseph College (ME) at 3:00 PM.