WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 11, 2022) - Led by a six-RBI day from Cara McNulty and a never-say-die attitude, the Saint Peter's softball team earned a split on the road Friday against Howard University, defeating the Bison 7-6 in game one before falling 6-5 in game two on a walk-off home run.
Top Performers
- McNulty was dominant at the plate collecting three hits in seven at-bats while driving in six runs including four in the game one victory. She also became the second Peacock to go deep this season, hitting a home run in the first inning of game one to put SPU on top.
- Olyvia Smith also had a multi-hit day for the Peacocks in game one going 2 for 4 with a run scored.
- Katie Sciglimpaglia and Dakota Pitts were instrumental in run scoring opportunities for SPU, combining to score six of the 11 total runs in the doubleheader.
- Anja Solveig Kane had a big day driving in runs with three RBI in two contests including a pair on a double in game two.
- Christina Colon, Kristen Brennan and Kasidy Slusser combined to allow just four earned runs across eight innings in the first game of the day to help the Peacocks earn the victory.
- Maiah Skakal was the lone SPU player with multiple hits in the second contest of the day going 2 for 3 with a run scored.
How It Happened (Game One)
- After back-to-back walks in the first inning of game one, McNulty put the Peacocks in front with a bang, lifting her second career bomb over the wall down the left field line to make the score 3-0.
- The Bison struck back with a pair of runs in the fourth on a walk, a double, a sac fly and a wild pitch.
- As she has all season, Smith started a rally with a leadoff single to left in the fifth and quickly moved to second after Sciglimpaglia singled to put a pair on with nobody out.
- The Peacocks would then use small ball to score a pair of runs as Skakal brought home a run on a sacrifice bunt and an error and SPU added another on a double steal to make the score 5-2.
- Howard would answer with a single unearned run on an error in the bottom half of the fifth to bring the deficit to two.
- Heading into the bottom of the seventh with a 5-3 lead, the Bison were able to send the game to extra innings after a leadoff double, an RBI single, an error and a fielder's choice plated a pair of runs.
- Slusser did not allow Howard to walk things off, however, getting a pair of groundouts with a runner in scoring position to send things to the eighth.
- With Skakal at second to start the inning due to the extra-inning rule in NCAA softball, Pitts would be the first batter and promptly singled into center to put runners on the corners with nobody out.
- McNulty would then bring home a run on an RBI fielder's choice to put the Peacocks back on top.
- With one out and a pair in scoring position, Solveig Kane would add a much-needed insurance run on an RBI groundout to make the score 7-5 heading into the bottom of the eighth.
- A sac bunt and a double in the bottom half cut the deficit back down to one, but Slusser slammed the door with back-to-back flyouts to end the inning and earn her third career win.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma)
- "Tough way to end a winning streak, but what a run we went on. We have gotten timely hitting, quality starting pitching and an absolutely shut down bullpen. Cara McNulty is absolutely on fire and nobody should ever count this group out."
Next Up
- The Peacocks return to action Wednesday afternoon for their home opener as they take on Wagner at 1:00 and 3:00 pm in a doubleheader at Jaroschak Field.
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