Softball Falls in Season Opener against Manhattan on Saturday

JERSEY CITY, NJ- The Saint Peter's University softball team showed promise in its first outing of 2021, but ultimately fell to Manhattan in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday afternoon. The first game, which featured a superb 11-inning pitching performance from junior Sydney Senerchia, ended in a 2-0 decision to the Jaspers after 12 innings of play. Both teams responded with strong offensive showings in game two, but Manhattan was able to get out to an early lead and secure the 8-4 win after seven innings of play.
 
Game 1 Notes:

• Each side finished with a base hit in the first inning of Game 1, but neither side could capitalize as the scoreboard remained blank heading into the second.
• Senerchia didn't concede a hit over the next two innings, as the Saint Peter's defense forced Manhattan to go three-up, three-down in the top of the third.
• The Jaspers were able to get a runner in scoring position in the fourth frame, but a pop-up to center field, which was handled by sophomore Olyvia Smith, ended the threat.
• The theme remained the same over the next few innings, with each side getting runners on but ultimately falling back on solid defense to keep their opponents scoreless.
• Then, as the game reached the 12th inning, Manhattan recorded a two-RBI shot that would prove to be the difference maker in the exchange.

Game 2 Notes:

• The tone of the matchup changed almost immediately in Game 2, as the Jaspers were able to score two unearned runs in the top of the second off an error by the Saint Peter's defense.
• The Peacocks responded quickly though, with smart base running from Smith and classmate Bailey Hartman, which opened the door for Hartman to steal home in the bottom of the second.
• Junior captain Anja Solveig Kane came through on the next at-bat with an RBI single to left field, as Smith scored from second base to tie the game at 2-2.
• A relentless Manhattan offense was able to add another five runs over the next two innings though, as the visitors extended their advantage to 7-2 heading into the fifth frame.
• Junior Katie Sciglimpaglia brought in the next run for the Peacocks on a sacrifice RBI in the bottom of the fifth, as Smith recorded the unearned run.
• Sophomore Cara McNulty grounded out to second on the following at-bat, but secured an RBI in the process, bringing in Kane on an unearned run to cut the deficit to 7-4.
• A solo home run from Manhattan in the top of the sixth would help the Jaspers reclaim a four-point (8-4) edge, which they then held through the sixth and seventh innings to finish the sweep.

Inside the Numbers:

• Senerchia highlighted Saint Peter's performance on Friday, pitching 11 innings in the first affair while conceding only five hits and two walks. Senerchia also recorded six strikeouts in her outing and tallied 123 pitches.
• Additionally, the North Branford native had four three-and-out innings pitched against the Jaspers in Game 1. 
• The four Saint Peter's hits in the first tilt came from a combination of Sciglimpaglia, Courtney Fraher and Brandi Feeney, as Feeney recorded two hits in the initial contest.
• Kane, McNulty, and Sciglimpaglia each recorded an RBI on the day, as the fourth Saint Peter's run in Game 2 came off Hartman's stolen run in the second frame.
• Feeney and Smith finished the day as the only two Peacocks with multi-hit performances, as Feeney recorded two base hits in the first game, while Smith tallied the same amount in the rematch.

Coach's Quote - Chris Stelma:

• "Words can't explain how good it felt to see these ladies go out and play today.  We are over our 380 day layoff and these young ladies have put in a tremendous amount of work and we are all looking forward to a great season."

Up Next:

• The Peacocks are scheduled to host the Jaspers for the second installment of the teams' series on Sunday, March 28 with games beginning at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.