HAMDEN, CT. (April 11, 2022) - After dropping the opening contest of the day narrowly 4-3, the Saint Peter's University softball team bounced back with a 4-2 victory over Quinnipiac University Monday afternoon at Quinnipiac Softball Field.
Top Performers
- Junior Cara McNulty had a huge day at the plate for the Peacocks going 6 for 7 with a double, a stolen base and three RBIs across both games to lead SPU at the plate.
- Junior Olyvia Smith produced another multi-hit contest in game one of the day finishing 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.
- Freshman Dakota Pitts was on fire throughout the doubleheader with 1 for 2 effort in game one and finishing 3 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in the game two victory.
- Junior Kristen Brennan got the start in the circle and also at the plate in the first game of the day. She helped herself with an RBI single to score the first run of the game and allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in the circle.Â
- Junior Samantha Miller collected her second hit of the season in a big way in the second contest with an RBI single to plate the first run of the game.
- Katie Sciglimpaglia and Aubrey Ketcham each had a single hit and scored a run in game two to help the Peacocks pick up the victory.
- Kasidy Slusser picked up the win in the circle in game two tossing 6.1 innings allowing just two runs with three strikeouts.
- Sydney Senerchia came on in the seventh of the contest and slammed the door, getting the final two outs to pick up her first save of the season.
How It Happened (Game One)
- SPU took the lead in the second inning when Maiah Skakal raced home from third on an RBI infield single off the bat of Brennan.
- The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth when Quinnipiac exploded for four runs thanks to an RBI double and back-to-back home runs to take a 4-1 lead into the sixth.
- As they have all year, the Peacocks refused to quit late. Ketcham and Smith both reached with one out in the seventh and McNulty drove them in two batters later to cut the deficit down to one with two outs in the inning.
- The Peacocks were unable to complete the comeback, however, as the Bobcats got the final out of the game on a pop out to secure the 4-3 victory.
How it Happened (Game Two)
- Much like in game one, SPU was able to get on the board first with a single run in the top of the second inning when Miller laced an RBI single up the middle to bring home Pitts.
- One inning later, it was Pitts who was the one driving in runs with an RBI single into left field to plate both McNulty and Sciglimpaglia and put the Peacocks up 3-0.
- Still up by three in the fifth, SPU tacked on an insurance run when McNulty ripped a double down the left field line to bring home Ketcham.
- Leading 4-0 in the bottom of the seventh, Quinnipiac threatened with back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning and put a pair in scoring position.
- Slusser was able to get the next batter to ground out but an RBI single one hitter later cut the deficit to 4-1 and ended the day for the freshman.
- Senerchia came on and was able to get the final two outs on an RBI sacrifice fly and a lineout straight to Sciglimpaglia at short to earn the 4-2 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- The win for SPU snaps a nine-game losing streak and puts the Peacocks in the win column in the MAAC for the first time this season.
- The Peacocks have now won nine road games this season, the most since winning 11 contests away from home in the 2002 season.
- Slusser lowered her season ERA to 3.27, now best on the team, and is now 4-2 this season.
- After her strong performance, McNulty's average is now up to .383 as she ranks inside the top-10 in the MAAC in average, OPS, slugging percentage and hits this season.
- With another double in game two, Pitts now has eight doubles this season, best on the team good for a tie for fifth in the league.
- The save for Senerchia was the second of her collegiate career with the first coming against the same Quinnipiac team one season ago.
- The 12 wins for SPU are the most since winning 22 in the 2007 season.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma)
- "Great team effort today. We had excellent timely hitting in game two which was the big difference. Quality starts and great relief pitching in both games. It's great to be back in the win column."
Next Up
- The Peacocks have a quick turnaround as they will host Coppin State at Jaroschak Field Wednesday afternoon in a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.
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