PRINCESS ANNE, MD. (Feb. 27, 2022) - Led by a dominant one-hit shutout in game one from Sydney Senerchia and a strong all-around effort with the bats, the Saint Peter's University softball team picked up a pair of victories Sunday at the Eastern Shore Classic, defeating Lafayette 3-0 before taking down Maryland Eastern Shore 10-4 to earn their third win in the first five games of the season, the best start since 2007.
Top Performers
- Senerchia was absolutely dominant in the circle in the first game of the day, allowing just one hit while striking out four over 7.0 innings to toss a complete-game shutout for the second time in her career.
- Katie Sciglimpaglia was the top performer offensively in the win over Lafayette finishing 2 for 3 with a pair of RBI in the contest. Sciglimpaglia also scored a pair of runs in SPU's victory over UMES.
- The Peacocks got production from up-and-down the lineup in game two, particularly from Maiah Skakal who finished 1 for 2 with a walk, three RBI and a pair of runs scored.
- Sophie Wilson also had multiple RBI in the win over UMES finishing 1 for 3 with two runs driven in.
- Olyvia Smith set the table all day from the leadoff spot. In total, Smith finished 2 for 6 but reached base safely in four of her seven plate appearances and scored four runs in the doubleheader.
- Anja Solveig Kane was also solid on the day, finishing the two games 2 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI.
- Taylor Rondon and Kasidy Slusser came on in relief in game two and combined to allow just four hits and no earned runs over the final 3.1 innings of work.
Game Summary (Game One)
- The Peacocks jumped ahead early in the bottom of the first when Smith led things off with a single and came all the way around to score on an RBI single from Sciglimpaglia to make the score 1-0.
- Lafayette got two of their three baserunners of the game in the second and third innings on a walk and a single, respectively, but could not move either runner past second base against Senerchia.
- SPU tacked on another run in the bottom of the third when Aubrey Ketcham drew a leadoff walk and was moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt from Smith. After Ketcham swiped third, Sciglimpaglia provided her second straight RBI on a groundout to push the lead to 2-0.
- Skakal sparked a rally of her own in the fourth with a leadoff double and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a fielding error and giving plenty of cushion to Senerchia.
- The senior was dominant in the circle from that point on, sitting down the final 10 batters she faced to complete the shutout.
Game Summary (Game Two)
- Smith again ignited a rally in the first inning for the Peacocks, leading the inning off by reaching on an error, advancing to second on a wild pitch and moving to third on a sac bunt.
- Two batters later, Smith raced home on another wild pitch and Sciglimpaglia followed shortly after on a sac fly off the bat of Skakal to make the score 2-0.
- It was the Ketcham sisters who gave the Peacocks their third run of the day as Aubrey singled with two outs and advanced all the way around to score on Kourtney Ketcham's single.
- UMES answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the second, but could not add more as Smith hosed a runner trying to stretch a double into a triple to end the inning.
- The floodgates opened for the Peacocks in the top of the third when Smith and Sciglimpaglia both reached to open the inning and moved into scoring position on a groundout.
- Skakal then delivered the big hit with a two-RBI double into left center to push the lead to 5-1.
- Another run crossed the plate on an error by the center fielder and Solveig Kane capped the inning with an RBI single through the left side to score pinch runner Marissa Morales and push the Peacock lead to 7-1.
- In the fourth, Smith set the table once again with a leadoff walk and Skakal walked right behind her to put a pair of runners on for Wilson who promptly unloaded on a two-RBI double into the right center field gap to make the lead eight.
- UMES avoided the run rule with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame and the score remained 9-3 until the seventh.
- In the last inning, Solveig Kane was hit by a pitch and K. Ketcham doubled to set things up for pinch-hitter Sam Miller to drive in her first run of 2022 with an RBI groundout.
- The Hawks threatened in the bottom of the seventh with a one-out double and an error to score a run, but Slusser limited the damage and sealed the 10-3 win.
Inside the Numbers (Both Games)
- The shutout for Senerchia was the first for SPU since she herself tossed up zeros for eight straight innings while allowing three hits against Army in a 1-0 win on May 3, 2019.
- The 2007 squad also started 3-2 before finishing the season with 22 victories, the most from that point on.
- It is the second time in her career Senerchia allowed just one hit in a game with the first coming in a 2-1 losing effort on April 24, 2019.
- Smith is hitting .421 through five games this season with a team-high seven runs scored.
- Skakal is now the team-leader in RBI with five this season and is the lone Peacock with multiple extra-base hits on the year.
- In total, SPU swiped six bags in two games on the day with four in the game one win over the Leopards. The Peacocks have eight steals through five games this season.
- The Peacocks were able to take advantage of mistakes throughout the day as six of their 13 runs scored were unearned.
- The three-game win streak is the longest for the Peacocks since winning three straight over Coppin State and Howard on March 11-12, 2020.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma)
- "We made big plays in big spots and got big hits in big spots. The energy and veteran leadership is a huge difference on this team. We are playing team softball. Everybody is stepping up and making things happen."
Next Up
- The Peacocks head to South Carolina for a spring break trip next as they travel to compete in the Scotsman Invitational March 4-6 where they will take on Presbyterian and Youngstown State.
--
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
