PRINCESS ANNE, MD. (Feb. 26, 2022) - Junior Olyvia Smith went 3 for 4 and fellow classmate Christina Colon gave up just three runs over 6.2 innings to lead the Saint Peter's softball team to a 7-3 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore Saturday at the Eastern Shore Classic.
Top Performers
- Smith scored a pair of runs and had a base hit in each of her first three at bats to set the table multiple times for the Peacocks to give SPU their first non-conference win since March 12, 2020.
- In the circle, Colon earned her second career win giving up three earned runs and striking out five to lower her season ERA to just 2.21 through two starts this season.
- Katie Sciglimpaglia also scored two runs in the victory going 1 for 3 while also driving in a run on an RBI single.
- Sophomore Maiah Skakal was all over the field with a base hit, a walk, an RBI and a stolen base while also throwing out a would-be base stealer in the bottom of the sixth.
- Freshman Dakota Pitts did not record a hit in the contest but did drive in a pair of runs on an RBI groundout and sacrifice fly.
- Junior Sophie Wilson came off the bench and delivered in a big way with an RBI single in the top of the seventh to give the Peacocks an insurance run.
- Freshman Kasidy Slusser came out of the bullpen with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh and slammed the door, getting the final batter to pop out to seal the win.
How it Happened
- The Peacocks jumped ahead early with two runs in the top half of the first.
- Smith started the game with a single, moved to third on an error and was able to race home on a Pitts RBI groundout to give SPU a 1-0 lead.
- One batter later, Skakal delivered an RBI single into right center to bring home Sciglimpaglia and push the score to 2-0.
- In the top of the second, Aubrey Ketcham, Anja Solveig Kane and Smith hit back-to-back-to-back singles to give the Peacocks a runner in scoring position with one out.
- Sciglimpaglia stepped in and used her speed to single on a perfect squeeze bunt RBI single to give SPU another run.
- After Pitts pushed the lead to 4-0 with a sac fly, the Peacocks added another when Brandi Feeney was able to reach on a fielding error as Sciglimpaglia scampered home to push the lead to five.
- UMES answered with their only runs of the game, putting up a three-spot in the bottom of the third but Colon was able to limit the damage, stranding the bases loaded with a punchout to end the frame.
- The score remained 5-3 for the next four innings as neither team put a runner past second base until the seventh.
- In the top half of the final inning, Skakal started things out with a one-out walk and promptly swiped second to give SPU a runner in scoring position.
- The Peacocks again took advantage of a Hawk miscue as Skakal crossed home plate on an error by the second baseman.
- With pinch runner Marissa Morales at third, Wilson added the seventh run of the game for SPU on an RBI infield single to third base.
- After Colon got the first two outs of the inning on a groundout and a punchout, she was unable to close things out as she issued a pair of walks sandwiched around a hit batter to load the bases.
- Making just her second appearance in a Peacock uniform, Slusser calmly came on in relief and got a pop out to end things 7-3 in favor of SPU.
Inside the Numbers
- The Peacocks outhit the Hawks 9-6 in the contest and committed one error while UMES had four.
- Through three games, Smith is now hitting .455 with five hits in 11 at bats on the year.
- In 12.2 innings in the circle, Colon has a season ERA of 2.12 and opponents are hitting just .196 against her on the year.
- After picking up another hit in the win, Aubrey Ketcham is the lone Peacock with a hit in every game this season.
- The steals for Skakal and Morales were the first two swipes for SPU this season and both led to runs.
- In total, nine different student-athletes have recorded a hit for the Peacocks already on the year.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma)
- "Another huge day out of Christina Colon. Team oriented swinging led to a firey offense and Kasidy Slusser came in and slammed the door at the end. A big day for Saint Peter's batted ball sports."
Next Up
- The Eastern Shore Classic concludes Sunday when the Peacocks take on Lafayette at 9:00 a.m. and then face off with UMES at 12:00 p.m.
--Â
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
