JERSEY CITY, N.J. (April 23, 2022) - After dropping the first game of the doubleheader against Rider University 9-0 in run-rule fashion, the Saint Peter's University softball team bounced back in a big way with a 3-2 comeback victory in game two to earn a split in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference doubleheader Saturday at Joseph J. Jaroschak Field.
Scores: Rider 9, Saint Peter's 0 | Saint Peter's 3, Rider 2
Records: Saint Peter's (16-23, 2-6 MAAC) | Rider (24-18, 8-4 MAAC)
Pitchers (G1): W - Jessie Niegocki (5-3) L - Kasidy Slusser (5-3)
Pitchers (G2): W - Sydney Senerchia (4-4) L - Anna-Marie Groskritz (8-9)
Top Performers
- Junior Cara McNulty provided the first big blow of the game for SPU with a huge two-RBI single with one out in the fifth to tie the score in game two. She finished the contest 2 for 2 with a double and two RBIs.
- Junior Samantha Miller came off the bench cold and brought home the eventual game-winning run when she ripped an RBI double into right center in the sixth inning to make the score 3-2.
- Senerchia was dynamite in the circle giving up just two runs on four hits while striking out four across 7.0 innings to earn the win.
- Much like Miller, junior Courtney Fraher also came off the bench cold and provided a big hit, leading off the fifth inning with a single and later came around to score on the two-RBI double from McNulty.
- Junior Olyvia Smith and sophomore Maiah Skakal were the lone two Peacocks with a base hit in both games of the doubleheader, combining to go 5 for 11 in total on the day.
- Freshman Nicole Antuna came on in relief in the circle in game two and was able to provide some stability retiring the first nine batters she faced. In total, Antuna tossed 4.0 innings and allowed two runs on three hits with a pair of punch outs.
How it Happened (Game One)
- The Broncs took the lead in the first on an RBI single up the middle but Kasidy Slusser limited the damage to just one as she stranded a runner in the frame.
- Rider broke the game open with a four-run second inning thanks to three consecutive RBI singles to take a 5-0 lead.
- The edge swelled to 7-0 after a two-run home run in the third inning.
- After Antuna put up two consecutive zeros in the fourth and fifth frames, the Broncs pushed the game to a rule-rule lead with back-to-back RBI doubles.
- The Peacocks threatened to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth when they loaded the bases, but could not bring home a run as they fell in run rule fashion 9-0 in six innings.
How it Happened (Game Two)
- Rider again took an early lead with an RBI sacrifice fly in the second inning of game one and tacked on another in the fifth on an RBI single up the middle.
- Trailing 2-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, Fraher led things off with a single and Smith reached on batter later on a bunt single to put a pair on the basepaths.
- After Katie Sciglimpaglia moved two into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, McNulty laced the first pitch she saw into center field to score two and tie the contest.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Brandi Feeney led the inning off by reaching on a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch.
- Miller would then come to the plate and provide the huge one-out RBI double to put SPU up 3-2.
- Senerchia then came back out in the seventh and worked around a one-out single to close the door and seal the win.
Inside the Numbers
- The win for the Peacocks was the first against Rider since defeating the Broncs 7-6 on April 13, 2019.
- SPU handed the Broncs just their fourth MAAC loss of the season as they came into the contest as the top team in the conference standings.
- WIth four more strikeouts in the win, Senerchia now sits just five away from becoming the seventh player in program history to reach 200 career punchouts.
- After driving in two more runs in the doubleheader, McNulty now sits at 27 RBIs this season, good for fifth in the MAAC.
- The Peacocks earned their second MAAC win of the season with 12 conference contests still to play.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma, Sydney Senerchia, Samantha Miller)
- "Great job all around today to take down the top team in the MAAC. Gutsy performance by Syd Senerchia in the circle and huge pinch hits by Courtney Fraher and Sam Miller. A great day to be a Peacock!"
Next Up
- The Peacocks continue their eight-game homestand Sunday when they host Monmouth University in a doubleheader starting at 12:00 p.m.
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