Softball Sweeps Doubleheader at Massachusetts Maritime During Non-Conference Finale

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team wrapped up the non-conference portion of its 2023 schedule on a high note, sweeping a doubleheader at Massachusetts Maritime (Mass. Maritime) Wednesday night on Alison Rollins Field in Buzzards Bay, Mass. The Blue Jays took game one, 5-1, before completing the sweep with a 4-1 victory in game two.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 5, Mass. Maritime 1
Records: USJ (19-17), Mass. Maritime (15-16)
Location: Alison Rollins Field | Buzzards Bay, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The USJ offense need no time at all to take the lead, as sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) began the game with a single to left. Junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) quickly moved Zup to second after a perfect sacrifice bunt, allowing sophomore first baseman Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) to slash a single through the left side, plating Zup and establishing a 1-0 Blue Jays lead. Back-to-back walks from senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) and sophomore infielder Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) loaded the bases for USJ, setting up freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) who launched a single to the right center gap, bringing home Masiello and Catalani to increase the USJ lead to 3-0 after the top of the first.

After holding the Buccaneers scoreless in the bottom of the first, the Blue Jays added onto their lead in the second. Zup lead off the inning with another single, before Milardo drew a walk to get two runners on base. Roberts would reach on base via a fielders choice in the next at-bat, allowing Massiello to single up the middle, plating Milardo to increase the USJ lead to 4-0. Freshman starting pitcher Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) carried her offense's dominating performance into the circle, shutting out the Mass. Maritime offense as the Blue Jays held a 4-0 lead through four innings.

The Buccaneers would cut the gap to three, 4-1, after drawing a walk in a loaded bases situation in the bottom of the sixth, but freshman relief pitcher Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) prevented any further damage, recording the final out via strikeout to end the inning. The Blue Jays responded in the top of the seventh as Roberts hit a single up the middle, plating Zup from second to increase the lead back to four, 5-1. Ouellette would prevent Mass. Maritime from making a late comeback, as she set the side down in order, securing a 5-1 victory in game one.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Fekete earned the win in game one (5-3), allowing no runs off three hits, tossing three strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work. Ouellette threw 2.0 innings in relief, allowing one run off one hit while tossing four strikeouts.

MASS MARITIME – Jennamarie Klemp picked up the loss in game one for Mass. Maritime (10-14), allowing five runs off eight hits.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 4, Mass. Maritime 1
Records: USJ (20-17), Mass. Maritime (15-17)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After a scoreless first inning, USJ gained the edge in the top of the second. With one out, Fairfax slashed a single up the middle, advancing to third after a throwing error by the Buccaneers center fielder. The home team quickly picked up the second out, but freshman first baseman Allison Conger (Plainfield, Conn.) hit a clutch single to center, scoring Fairfax to give USJ the 1-0 lead. However, Mass. Maritime responded in the bottom of the third, scoring a run to tie the game at 1-1 through three innings.

The Blue Jays did not let the lead last long, regaining the edge in the top of the fifth. Freshman infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) lead off the inning with a walk, allowing Zup to launch a triple to right, bringing Volinsky home and retaking the lead for the Blue Jays, 2-1. Milardo then stepped up to bat, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Zup to score and increase the lead to 3-1. Roberts continued the momentum, drawing a walk in the next at-bat before moving to second after a sacrifice bunt by Ouellette. Catalani then utilized great two-out hitting, slashing a single up the middle to score Roberts and increase the gap to 4-1 after the fifth inning. Roberts continued her stellar game inside the circle, securing the win and the sweep for USJ.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts earned the complete game victory in game two (8-7), allowing one run off six hits while tossing 10 strikeouts.

MASS MARITIME – Erin Donlan took the loss in game two (5-3), allowing four runs, three of which were earned, off seven hits in 4.2 innings of work. Klemp threw the remaining 2.1 innings in relief, allowing no runs off one hit, throwing two strikeouts.

COACH QUOTE [Jim McKinnon]
"This was an important two games for us as we get ready for a good Regis team. Everything was working today. Paige, Kaitlyn, and Alyssa all pitched well, our defense led by Jenna Zup was superb and we got some timely hits by McKenzie, Briana, Jenna and Alyssa. It was a good day all around."

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays conclude the 2023 regular season with a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) doubleheader at Regis College on Saturday, April 29. First pitch in game one against the Pride is set for noon on the Regis Softball Field in Weston, Mass.

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