Softball Defeats Baruch and MCLA During Season Opener at Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic

NAPLES, Fla. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team opened its 2024 season strong, winning both its games during the opening day of the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Naples, Fla. The Blue Jays first took down Baruch, 8-2, to open the morning, before defeating MCLA, 4-2, to close out the day.

 
USJ 8, BARUCH 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bearcats jumped out to a quick lead, scoring off two walks to hold a 2-0 edge after the opening inning.
• USJ responded in the bottom of the second, as junior shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) singled to right, allowing sophomore outfielder Avianna Ibrahim (Colchester, Conn.) to score, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
• The Blue Jays tied the game an inning later with a sophomore infielder Alexis Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) solo homerun knotting the score at 2-2 after three innings.
• The run parade carried on into the fourth as junior outfielder Izzy Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) beat out a throw at first, while an error on the thorw enabled Zup and sophomore Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.) to cross home, establishing a 4-2 USJ lead.
• Junior pitcher Alyssa Roberts (Naguatuck, Conn.) helped herself inside the circle, reaching first on another costly Bearcats error, allowing Milardo to score and increase the advantage to 5-2 after three innings.
• Roberts would continue to keep the Bearcats at bay inside the circle after the opening inning, not allowing another run for Baruch in the closing innings.
• The Blue Jays put the game to rest late on, as Zup singled up the middle, plating Volinsky and sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) in the bottom of the fifth, while a Volinsky double to center enabled sophomore catcher Devan Fox (Granville, Mass.) to cross home plate, securing the Blue Jays opening day victory, 8-2.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Roberts (1-0) picked up the complete game victory, giving up two runs off five hits, while striking out four batters.
• Zup went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, tallying a game-high three RBI.
• Volinsky also had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3, scoring two runs and tallying two RBI.
• Ibrahim tallied the Blue Jays lone steal on the morning.

USJ 4, MCLA 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The opening four innings was a battle of the two pitchers, as USJ starter, sophomore Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) dominated inside the circle, striking out the Trailblazers in order to open the game, tallying five total strikeouts across the first four frames.
• USJ finally broke open the scoring in the top of the fifth, as Milardo used heads up baserunning, scoring after an MCLA wild pitch to give the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead.
• The Blue Jays took more advantage of the Trailblzers pitching in the top of the sixth, as freshman Lorraine Cloutier (East Longmeadow, Mass.), who entered the game on a pitch runner, dashed for home after another wild pitch, increasing the lead to 2-0.
• Then, with runners on second and third, Zup came up clutch, ripping a double to left, sending Volinsky and sophomore infielder Emma Carpenter (Brooklyn, Conn.) head, increasing the USJ edge to 4-0 after six innings.
• MCLA tried to fight back in the bottom of the second, closing the gap to 4-2, but Fekete closed the door on the Trailblazers, securing a 4-2 victory, and a perfect 2-0 start to the year.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Zup continued her stellar day at the plate, going 2-for-4 while recording two RBI.
• Fekete (1-0) went the distance, earning the complete game victory after giving up two runs of three hits, striking out seven MCLA batters.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays continue the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic tomorrow, Sunday, March 10 with a piar of games against Penn State Altoona and Emerson. First pitch against the Nittany Lions in Naples, Fla., is set for 9:00 a.m.

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