Softball Sweeps Doubleheader against Quinnipiac on Sunday

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Saint Peter's University softball team picked up its first wins of the season on Sunday, sweeping its doubleheader against Quinnipiac. The team started the day with a commanding 12-5 win over the Bobcats after jumping out to an early 4-1 lead after the first inning in Game 1. The day's second contest proved to be a much closer affair, as the Peacocks were able to hang on to secure a 6-5 win through seven innings.
 
Sunday marks the Peacocks' first two-game sweep over a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opponent since May 7, 2017, when the team swept Rider by scores of 5-3 and 2-0. Additionally, it is the first time in program history that Saint Peter's has swept Quinnipiac in a doubleheader. 
 
Game 1 Notes:

• The Peacocks began the day trailing 1-0 after the Bobcats were able to bring in a run with two outs in the top of the first inning.
• Saint Peter's was unphased though, and proceeded to post four runs in the bottom of the first inning, beginning with back-to-back doubles from juniors Olyvia Smith and Katie Sciglimpaglia, the latter of which brought in Smith for the team's first run of the day.
• Junior captain Anja Kane would then begin her day with a 2-RBI single to left field in the same inning, which put the Peacocks up 3-1.
• Freshman Maiah Skakal then recorded the first RBI of her career to close out the inning, giving the team its 4-1 advantage.
• A 2-RBI double to left-center from sophomore Brandi Feeney in the next inning brought in Sciglimpaglia and Cara McNulty to increase the scoring gap to 6-1.
• A pivotal three-run inning for the blue and white in the bottom of the fourth frame gave the team a commanding 9-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
• The Bobcats were able to find a bit of a spark in the top of the fifth though, and would score two more runs to narrow the gap to 9-3.
• The visitors would repeat the feat in the top of the sixth, but Saint Peter's would post another three-run inning in the bottom of the sixth inning to maintain the 12-5 edge, which they would hold through the seventh inning.

Game 2 Notes:

• Quinnipiac began Game 2 with another 1-0 advantage after the top of the first inning, but Saint Peter's was able to retake the lead following its at-bat, going up 2-1 after a crucial error from the Bobcats' defense.
• Neither side found another run until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Skakal recorded an RBI single, which brought in Feeney for the score.
• Sophomore Sophie Wilson then came up clutch at the plate for the Peacocks on the next at-bat as a pinch-hitter, sending a rocket to the corner in left field for a stand-up triple which brought in Skakal for the team's fourth run of the day.
• Smith was able to close the door on the Bobcats in the same inning, closing it out with a 2-RBI single to right field, bringing in Wilson and senior Alyssa Adams. 
• Quinnipiac began to close the gap in the final innings though, putting up a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to cut the Peacocks' lead back to 6-5.
• A strong closing performance by junior pitcher Sydney Senerchia proved to be enough to keep the visitors at bay, as the North Branford native struck out the final two Quinnipiac batters to close out the day.

Inside the Numbers:

• Wilson earned her first win of the season following Sunday's Game 1, while also scoring the winning run in Game 2.
• Kane finished the day's first game a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate while recording four RBI's in the contest.
• Feeney (2), Skakal (3), and Smith (2) each joined Kane with multiple RBI's on the day.
• Senerchia closed out both games on Sunday, earning her first save of the season in Game 2.
• Sciglimpaglia went 5-for-7 at the plate through both games on Sunday, while hitting a double in each contest and recording one RBI in Game 1.
• Junior pitcher Christina Colon joins Wilson in the win column, earning her first win as a Peacock following the team's victory in Game 2.
• The team's 12-run performance in Game 1 marks the team's highest offensive output since reaching the same tally against Rider on April 26, 2016.

Coach's Quotes - Chris Stelma:

• "Great team effort today... (team effort). The ladies have always put the work in and they deserve this sweep."
• "We are focused on getting better every day and it starts with our ability to be genuine with each other. We did that today...and it goes a long way."

Up Next:

• The Peacocks will remain at home as they get set to host their hOURglass rival Monmouth on Wednesday, April 21. The day will feature a doubleheader with games starting at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.