JERSEY CITY, N.J. (April 24, 2022) - Led by a strong game one effort in the circle by Nicole Antuna and clutch hitting, the Saint Peter's University softball team picked up a 6-0 victory over Monmouth before falling 6-4 in game two to pick up a doubleheader split Saturday at Joseph J. Jaroschak Field.
Scores: Saint Peter's 6, Monmouth 0 | Monmouth 6, Saint Peter's 4
Records: Saint Peter's (17-24, 3-7 MAAC) | Monmouth (8-35, 3-11 MAAC)
Pitchers (G1): W - Nicole Antuna (3-1) L - Billie Kerwood (3-16)
Pitchers (G2): W - Billie Kerwood (4-16) L - Kristen Brennan (1-7)
Top Performers
- Antuna delivered possibly the best performance of her collegiate career as she tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just five hits while striking out one and relying on some stellar Peacock defense.
- Maiah Skakal had a pair of multi-hit games in the contest and finished the doubleheader 4 for 6 with a pair of runs scored.Â
- Dakota Pitts delivered the biggest blow of the day with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning of game one to break the game open.
- For the second consecutive game, Samantha Miller came off the bench and delivered a huge pinch-hit single in game one to give the Peacocks their first lead.
- Katie Sciglimpaglia, Sophie Wilson and Aubrey Ketcham all had at least one hit in both contests led by Ketcham who combined to go 3 for 4 with a run scored.
- Kristen Brennan came on in relief in game two in the circle and was saddled with the tough-luck loss as she allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out three across 4.0 innings.
How it Happened (Game One)
- The first matchup of the day was a pitcher's duel through the first four frames as the score was 0-0 until the bottom of the fifth.
- In that inning, the Peacocks broke things open with a six-run outburst to take a commanding lead.
- Wilson and Skakal set the table with back-to-back singles to open the inning and bring up Miller with one out two batters later.
- In similar fashion to Saturday, Miller came through once again when she ripped a single down the left field line to bring home pinch runner Anja Solveig Kane and put the first run on the board.
- After Kourtney Ketcham re-entered the game and stole second to put a pair in scoring position, Sciglimpaglia was able to reach safely on an error by the shortstop that brought two more runners across the plate and push the SPU lead to 3-0.
- Cara McNulty followed with a single through the left side and Pitts made sure to provide Antuna with a bit more run support as she laced a three-run bomb over the wall in left field to make the score 6-0.
- The six-run cushion was plenty for Antuna as she kept the Hawks off the board over the final two frames to clinch the 6-0 victory.
How it Happened (Game Two)
- The Peacocks struck first once again in game two with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second.
- After Wilson led the inning off with a walk and Aubrey Ketcham singled, Kourtney Ketcham delivered her first RBI of the season with a single up the middle to bring home Wilson.
- One batter later, Olyvia Smith made the score 2-0 with an RBI single to center field.
- Monmouth answered in a big way in the top of the third inning scoring a run on an error to cut the lead in half.
- The inning didn't end there, however, as the Hawks took the lead on a three-run home run to take a 4-2 lead.
- In the bottom of the fourth, the Peacocks got one back when Wilson lifted a 2-0 pitch over the wall in left to cut the deficit in half for her first home run of the season.
- The score remained the same until the sixth when Courtney Fraher led things off with a single and was able to come around to score on another Monmouth error to tie things up.
- The Hawks responded and re-took the lead in the top of the seventh on a walk and a two-run homer and the Peacocks went down in order in the bottom half to give Monmouth a 6-4 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- The Peacock pitching staff was able to pound the zone all day as they walked just three hitters across the 14.0 innings in the doubleheader.
- The home run for Pitts was her second of the season as she joined Sciglimpaglia, McNulty and Kasidy Slusser as one of four Peacocks with multiple homers on the year.
- Skakal continued her hot hitting at the plate with her third straight two-hit game. In her current five-game hitting streak, Skakal is 8 for 14 with two doubles and two runs scored.
- After her shutout effort, Antuna is now the team leader with a 3.68 ERA this season. She became the fifth different Peacock to throw a complete game this season.
- The win for SPU was the first win over Monmouth since grabbing a 4-2 win on April 29, 2017.
- The Peacocks now have three MAAC victories, the most conference wins since grabbing four in 2017.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma, Aubrey and Kourtney Ketcham)
- "Huge outing from Nikki Antuna in game one. We got all the big hits, and made great plays on defense. The Ketcham sisters had a huge day on both sides of the ball. Kristen Brennan gave us a great effort out of the pen and we got some huge hits again in Game two but came up a little short."
Next Up
- Saint Peter's continues its eight-game homestand Tuesday with a doubleheader against Fairleigh Dickinson University starting at 3:00 pm.
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