Softball Sweeps Doubleheader at Salem Sate Wednesday Night

SALEM, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team got back in the win column, sweeping a doubleheader at Salem State University (SSU) during the teams non-conference finale Wednesday night on Alumni Field in Salem, Mass. The Blue Jays took the opening game 11-10 after nine innings, before completing the sweep with a 7-6 victory in game two. With the results, the Blue Jays move to 9-13 on the year, while the Vikings move to 8-12 overall.

 
GAME ONE | USJ 11, SSU 10 (9 INNINGS)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• SSU got off to a hot start, taking a 3-0 lead after the opening inning.
• However, USJ responded with authority in the top of the second, scoring seven runs.
• With one out, junior outfielder Izzy Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) drew a walk, before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Junior infielder Alex Silver (Vernon, Conn.) then reached first off a SSU miscue, setting up freshman Jenn Antonowicz (Wolcott, Conn.), who singled back up the middle as Milardo crossed home to cut the gap to 2-1.
• Sophomore outfielder Madelyn Ellis (Newington, Conn.) drew a walk to load the bases in the next at-bat, before freshman starting pitcher Analise Escarraman (Windham, Conn.) reached first via a fielder's choice, as the Vikings third baseman committed an error trying to get Antonowicz out at third, enabling freshman Lila Ward (Vernon, Conn.), who pinch ran for Silver, to cross home and tie the game.
• Sophomore infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) continued the USJ run parade, singling through the left side to score Antonowicz, while freshman catcher Sydney Robison (Clinton, Conn.) notched an RBI via a ground out to the pitcher and junior shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) slashed a two-RBI single up the middle to establish a 6-2 USJ lead.
• Junior first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) rounded out the big inning for USJ, tallying an RBI single to score and Zup and increase the lead to 7-2 after two innings.
• SSU fired back in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs to close the gap to one , 7-6, before retaking the lead, 9-7, with a three-run bottom of the fifth.
• USJ would come up clutch in the top of the seventh, as Zup led off the inning with a double to right, before Roberts reached first after a Vikings error, setting up runners on the corners.
• Sophomore catcher Devan Fox (Granville, Mass.) entered the game as a pinch runner for Roberts, stealing second before Milardo recorded an RBI after hitting a ball deep enough into the infield to allow Zup to cross home and cut the gap to one, 9-8.
• Junior Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) then entered the game as a pinch hitter, hitting a sac fly to left, allowing Fox to score and tie the game at 9-9. Roberts then entered the game as a pitcher, setting the Vikings down in order as the game headed to extra innings.
• After a scoreless eighth inning, the Blue Jays grabbed the lead in the top of the seventh as Zup slashed a single up the middle, scoring Volinsky, who was placed on second to start to inning, before Milardo slashed a single to right, plating Zup and increasing the edge to 11-9.
• SSU tried to mount a comeback, scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth, but the Blue Jays recorded the final out with a runner stranded on third, taking home the game one victory, 11-10, after nine innings.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Volisnjy was menace at the plate, hitting 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
• Zup also had an impressive day, batting 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored.
• Ellis continued to showcase her plate vision, drawing a team-high two walks.
• Ellis, Zup and Fox all stole bases in game one.
• Escarraman got the start inside the circle in game one, picking up a no-decision after allowing six runs, three of which were earned, off two hits, and throwing two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work.
• Sophomore Tessa D'Aquila (Old Saybrook, Conn.) made a relief appearance, walking all three batters she faced.
• Antonowicz threw 2.2 innings in relief, allowing three runs off three hits and throwing two strikeouts.
• Roberts picked up the win (3-5) allowing one unearned run off one hit across 4.0 innings.

GAME TWO | USJ 7, SSU 6

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Blue Jays carried the momentum into game two, taking a quick 2-0 lead after the top of the first.
• With one out, sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) drew a walk, before Volinsky reached via a fielders choice as the Vikings committed an error trying to get Ouellette out a second, setting up Roberts who launched a single to right, scoring Ouellette and establishing a 1-0 USJ lead.
• In the next at-bat, Zup laid down a perfect bunt, beating out a throw while Volinsky crossed home to increase the lead to 2-0.
• The Vikings fired back in the bottom half of the frame, scoring one run to close the gap to 2-1.
• USJ would not be deterred though, tacking on two more runs in the top of the second, as Roberts continued her stellar day at the plat, recording an RBI single followed by a Zup RBI single, increasing the Blue Jays lead to 4-1.
• SSU would tie the game though in the bottom of the third, adding three runs to equalize the game at 4-4.
• Roberts came up clutch once again, notching another RBI single while Catalani hit a sacrifice fly to left, as USJ retook the lead, 6-4 after the top of the fourth.
• The Vikings clawed back with one, 6-5, scoring a run in the bottom of the fourth.
• USJ answered back with a run of its own in the top of the fifth, as Antonowicz hit a groundout to the pitcher, that enabled sophomore infielder Emma Carpenter (Brooklyn, Conn.) to score, increased the gap back to two, 7-5.
• SSU would fight back within one, 7-6, after a run in the bottom of the sixth, but sophomore pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) would shut the door on the hosts, setting down the Vikings in order to preserve the 7-6 victory for USJ.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Roberts paced the team at the plate, batting 3-for-4 with three RBI.
• Zup went 2-for-4 at the dish, notching two RBI.
• Ouellette scored a team-best three runs.
• Ouellette got the start inside the circle in game two, picking up the win (2-2) after allowing five runs, four of which were earned, off nine hits, throwing one strikeout across 4.0 innings.
• Fekete earned her second save of the year, throwing two strikeouts and allowing only one run off three hits in 3.0 innings of relief.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, travelling to Providence, R.I., to face Johnson & Wales University for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13. First pitch in game one against the Wildcats at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex is set for noon.

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