Softball Drops Doubleheader to Quinnipiac on Saturday

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Saint Peter's University softball team fell to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) foe Quinnipiac on Saturday afternoon, dropping a pair of games by scoring margins of 3-2 and 4-1. The Peacocks were in contention through both games on Saturday, as smart baserunning and improved batting led to strong outings for Saint Peter's.
 
Game 1 Notes:

• The Bobcats struck first in Game 1 on Saturday, cashing in on a sacrifice fly-out to right field to take a 1-0 lead.
• Saint Peter's responded immediately though, as sophomore Sophie Wilson reached first base off a fielder's choice in the bottom of the first inning, which brought home junior Katie Sciglimpaglia to tie the score at 1-1.
• Quinnipiac scored its second run of the day in the top of the third, as the Peacocks walked in a run granting the Bobcats a 2-1 advantage.
• Neither side would find a run again until the final inning, as the visitors singled through the left side with one out in the top of the seventh, bringing in a runner from second base to increase their lead to 3-1.
• The Peacocks would not go out without a fight though, cutting the Bobcats' lead to one run in the bottom of the seventh after sophomore Bailey Hartman laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing classmate Courtney Fraher to second and freshman Madison Simone to third.
• A Quinnipiac error after a grounder from junior captain Anja Solveig Kane would then bring in Simone, cutting the score differential to 3-2.
• Kane would then steal second on the following at-bat, but the Peacocks would ultimately leave Kane and Fraher on base, leading to Quinnipiac's 3-2 victory.

Game 2 Notes:

• The Peacocks threatened early on in Game 2, with a runner reaching third base in both the first and second innings, but could not capitalize as the contest remained scoreless through the first two frames.
• The top of the third inning saw the Bobcats' first run of the game, as a single from Quinnipiac's Kayla Thomas was enough to bring in teammate Brighid Douglas from second base, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
• The Bobcats then posted a run in each of the next three innings, taking a 4-0 lead through the top of the sixth frame.
• A double from sophomore Brandi Feeney then gave a spark to Saint Peter's offense in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Cara McNulty was able to make the trip from first base to get the Peacocks on the board.
• Saint Peter's was able to hold off any more runs from the Bobcats in the top of the seventh inning, despite Quinnipiac loading the bases, but the visitors were able to put the game away in the bottom of the frame, taking the 4-1 win.

Inside the Numbers:

• Wilson's RBI in Game 1 marks the first career run batted in for the Atlantic Highlands native.
• Junior pitcher Christina Colon had her strongest pitching performance of the season in Game 1, allowing just one run and five hits through five innings after coming in as relief in the top of the third frame.
• Feeney finished the day with two doubles, both coming in Game 2. The sophomore now holds six doubles throughout her career.
• Kane paced the team in baserunning on the day, recording a stolen base in each of the two games.
• The Peacocks finished Saturday with seven hits through both games, while the Bobcats tallied 14 hits through the two contests.

Coach's Quotes - Chris Stelma:

• "We took some great strides today.  We still have a young team and we are learning on the go."
• "We are starting to see a lot of positives and really started to swing the bat better today."

Up Next:

• The Peacocks will return to Jaroschak on Sunday, April 18 for the second part of their four-game series against the Bobcats. Sunday's doubleheader will feature games starting at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.