Softball Sweeps Salem State During 2023 Home Opener

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team made it a grand opening to remember, sweeping a doubleheader against the Salem State University (SSU) Vikings, Tuesday afternoon on the USJ Softball Field in West Hartford, Conn. USJ first defeated SSU 12-3 in five innings before completing the sweep following a 7-0 shutout win. Prior to first pitch, a special ribbon cutting ceremony was held to officially open the newly renovated turf softball field.
 
GAME ONE
Score: USJ 12, SSU 3 – 5 innings
Records: USJ (4-7), SSU (3-6)
Location: USJ Softball Field | West Hartford, Conn.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Vikings grabbed an early lead, taking a 2-0 edge after the top of the first. The Blue Jays looked to answer back immediately, as sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) slashed a triple to right with two outs. Senior outfielder Jenna Masiello (Cromwell, Conn.) drew a walk in the next at-bat to put runners on the corners, but Zup and Masiello were stranded on base, as SSU maintained a 2-0 lead after the first.

SSU increased the lead to 3-0 in the top of the third, but USJ responded with a bang, dropping nine runs in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) led off the inning with a triple, allowing junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) to hit a ball deep enough into right field, plating Ouellette from a sacrifice fly. USJ would get runners on second and third, bringing up senior infielder Liliana Stoddard (Waterford, Conn.), who slashed a single through the left side, plating Zup to cut the gap to 3-2.

USJ continued the enormous inning, tying the game after an RBI single from senior catcher Kelsie LaHouse (Coventry, Conn.), while an error by the Vikings pitcher allowed Stoddard to cross the plate and give USJ a 4-3 edge. The runs continued to pile on, as freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) Ouellette, Milardo and Zup all recorded RBI's off hits in the following four at-bats, increasing the lead to 9-3 after the third inning.

The Blue Jays continued to roll in the fourth, as Masiello lead off with a single up the middle. Two batters later, LaHouse would reach on an error by the SSU first baseman while Masiello used heads-up base running to increase the lead to 9-3. USJ looked to put the game to rest in the fifth, as Zup and Milardo got into scoring position with one out. Masiello then stepped up again, ripping a double to center, plating both runners and enacting the run rule to give USJ the victory in game one, 12-3.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Ouellette picked up the victory in the circle for USJ (2-1), pitching a complete game. The freshman allowed three runs, two of which were earned, off six hits, while tallying eight strikeouts.

SSU – Janeishelly Morales saw the start in game one for the Vikings, taking home the loss (0-2) after allowing six runs, five of which were earned, off six hits in 2.1 innings of work. Hailey Lagenfield pitched 2.0 innings in relief, allowing six runs, four of which were earned, off 10 hits.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 7, SSU 0
Records: USJ (5-7), SSU (3-7)

USJ would strike first in game two, taking an early 1-0 lead after the first inning. With one out, Milardo singled to right, before stealing second and advancing to third after a Zup single to get in scoring position. Masiello then stepped up to the plate, hitting a deep fly to center field, allowing Mialrdo to tag up and give the Blue Jays a 1-0 edge.

After a scoreless second inning, USJ tacked on one more in the third, using a sacrifice fly from Stoddard to increase the gap to 2-0. Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.), who earned the start in game two, continued to pitch a gem inside the circle, setting the Vikings down in order in both the fourth and fifth innings. The Blue Jays continued to add on insurance runs, as Stoddard singled through the left side, plating both Milardo and Zup, before Roberts helped herself, doubling down the right field line to send home Stoddard and Massiello, increasing the USJ advantage to 6-0 after five innings.

Massiello sealed the USJ victory in the bottom of the sixth, singling up the middle, plating pinch hitter junior Adriana Quealy (East Hartford, Conn.), extending the gap to 7-0. SSU tried to rally late, placing runners on second and third, but Roberts shut the door, getting the final two outs to secure the victory, 7-0, and the sweep for USJ.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Roberts pitched a complete game shutout to pick up the victory (2-3), allowing only five this while tallying seven strikeouts.

SSU – Emily Carter saw the start in game two, picking up the loss (1-3) after allowing six runs off eight hits in 4.1 innings of work. Katherine Quigley pitched the remaining 1.2 innings in relief, allowing one run off three hits.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays remain in West Hartford, hosting Bay Path University for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 25. First pitch of game one against the Wildcats is set for 1:00 p.m. on the USJ Softball Field.

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