NORFOLK, VA- The Saint Peter's University softball team rounded out the second day of competition at the 2020 Pirate Invitational on Saturday (March 7), going 1-1 on the day. The Peacocks dropped the first contest of the day to Drexel via a 12-1 margin, but were able to rally later in the day to secure an 8-6 victory over host Norfolk State.
Brandi Feeney,
Cara McNulty,
Anja Solveig Kane, and
Katie Sciglimpaglia all produced for the Peacocks throughout the day, while freshman
Samantha Miller went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate in the win over the Spartans while recording her first collegiate RBI.
Against the Dragons:
- Saint Peter's fell into an early hole against the Dragons on Saturday, trailing 4-0 heading into the fourth inning.
- Brandi Feeney was able to breathe some life into the Peacocks though, going yard in the top of the fourth to put the Peacocks on the board and bring the score to 4-1.
- However, following an offensive explosion from the Dragons in the bottom of the fourth, Drexel took a commanding 12-1 lead over the Peacocks and would not surrender another run for the remainder of the game.
Against the Spartans:
- The Peacocks started strong against the Spartans in the second game of the day, getting on the board in the second inning, courtesy of an RBI single from Miller which brought Feeney in from third base for the score.
- After falling to a 3-1 deficit in the bottom of the second, Kane responded immediately with a blast to center field, sending the ball over the fence for a two-run home run, which also brought in freshman Olyvia Smith and evened up the score at 3-3.
- Saint Peter's fell into another two point disadvantage heading into the fifth inning, but a crucial throwing error from Norfolk State, combined with hits from Sciglimpaglia and McNulty, was enough to bring the score back to even at 5-5.
- The Spartans were able to edge back out to a one point lead in the bottom of the fifth, but the Peacocks would go on to score three runs through the sixth and seventh innings off the efforts of Feeney, classmate Courtney Fraher, and sophomore Marissa Morales to take an 8-6 lead, which the team would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.
Inside the Numbers:
- Sophomore Sydney Senerchia had a dominant performance on the mound against the Spartans, pitching for more than three innings while allowing just one run and recording four strikeouts in the exchange.
- Kane's two-run shot in today's game against Norfolk State is the sophomore's first of the season and brings her career total to six.
- Saint Peter's remains perfect against Norfolk State, having improved to 6-0 all-time against the Spartans with Saturday's victory.
- Following Saturday's triumph over the Spartans, Miller now leads the team in both batting average (.600), as well as OPS (1.400).
- Kane finished Saturday's game with three runs, which stands as the most in a single game by any Peacock thus far this season.
Coach's Quote - Chris Stelma:
- "Feels good to get our first win under the belt. It was a great start from freshman Kristen Brennan and then sophomore Sydney Senerchia came in and slammed the door."
- "We had timely hitting and huge days out of freshman Sam Miller, sophomore Anja Kane, and sophomore Katie Sciglimpaglia."
- "A full team effort using almost our entire roster, we look forward to continuing to get stronger every time out."
Up Next:
- The Peacocks are set to finish out the Pirate Invitational at Hampton against UMBC on Sunday (March 8) at 10 a.m.
