BUFFALO, N.Y. (May 1, 2022) - Facing off against the team at the top of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings Sunday, the Saint Peter's University softball team was unable to grab a victory as they fell 10-1 in game one and 6-3 in game two on the road at Canisius University.
Scores: Canisius 10, Saint Peter's 1 (5 Inn.) | Canisius 6, Saint Peter's 3
Records: Saint Peter's (18-29, 4-10 MAAC) | Canisius (27-16, 14-4 MAAC)
Pitchers (G1): W - Megan Giese (10-8) L - Nicole Antuna (4-3)
Pitchers (G2): W - Shealyn Ollyson S - Alexis Churchill (4) L - Taylor Rondon (2-7)
Top Performers
- Dakota Pitts was phenomenal throughout the day for the Peacocks, going 2 for 2 in game one and 3 for 3 with an RBI and a triple in game two to finish the doubleheader with a perfect day at the plate.
- Aubrey Ketcham continued to swing a hot bat in MAAC play as she produced a single hit in both games, combining to go 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Sophie Wilson and Maiah Skakal also had a hit in both games as they combined to go 4 for 9 with a double and two runs scored.
- Samantha Miller had another RBI base hit in game two finishing the contest 1 for 3 with a double.
- Kristen Brennan came on in relief in the circle in game one and allowed just one hit over 1.2 innings with a strikeout.
- Christina Colon was also strong out of the bullpen for the Peacocks as she faced the minimum over the final 2.0 innings in game two with three punchouts.
How it Happened (Game One)
- The Griffs jumped ahead with a single run in the bottom of the first on back-to-back bunts after a leadoff single.
- The Peacocks were able to answer right back in the top of the second as Wilson led things off with a double, moved to third on a single from Skakal and came home on a double steal to tie things 1-1.
- Canisius manufactured another run with a single, a double and a sac fly in the bottom of the frame to retake the lead.
- Ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the third, the Griffs broke things open with an eight-run outburst highlighted by three RBI singles, an RBI double and an RBI triple.
- Canisius cruised from there, completing the run-rule victory 10-1 in five innings.
How it Happened (Game Two)
- Saint Peter's struck first in the second contest of the day as A. Ketcham led things off with a walk and swiped second to move into scoring position.
- After Olyvia Smith moved Ketcham to third with a sacrifice bunt, Pitts brought her home with an RBI single to left field to put SPU up 1-0.
- The Griffs struck back in the bottom of the frame with a run on an error to tie things up.
- In the top of the second, Skakal led the inning off with a single and Miller followed with a double to put a pair in scoring position with nobody out.
- After a popout, A. Ketcham laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to bring home Skakal and put the Peacocks back on top.
- One batter later, Smith stepped in and drove in another run with an RBI groundout to give SPU a 3-1 lead.
- The score remained 3-1 until the bottom of the third when Canisius took the lead for the first time with a four-run frame that saw runs scored on a pair of RBI singles and a wild pitch.
- On top 5-3, the Griffs tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI groundout to push the lead to three.
- The Peacocks were unable to respond in the final two innings, falling 6-3 as Canisius earned the doubleheader sweep.
Inside the Numbers
- Of the 12 hits in the doubleheader, the Peacocks registered four extra base hits with three doubles and a triple.
- After another strong day at the plate, Ketcham is now hitting a team-best .387 in MAAC play. She has hit safely in each of her last five games for SPU.
- Pitts has now raised her average to .318 overall and .351 in conference competition after her perfect effort. She has now produced 10 multi-hit games in her freshman campaign.
- With two steals in the doubleheader, Ketcham now has swiped 10 bags this season, the most since Nicole Feoli had 14 in 2018.
From the Dugout (Head Coach Chris Stelma)
- "Our team did a great job staying in these games. Two or three crushing calls didn't go our way which our girls didn't allow to affect them. I'm proud of how far this group has come and how their hard work is starting to translate in the win column. We have really narrowed the gap in the MAAC."
Next Up
- The Peacocks will have their final non-conference contest Tuesday when they take on Howard University at Jaroschak Field starting at 2:00 p.m.
 --Â
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
