NORFOLK, VA– The Saint Peter's softball team (1-2) concluded its three-game series with the Norfolk State Spartans Sunday afternoon, falling 5-1.
Olivia Christopher paced the offense, going 2-for-4 and driving in the Peacocks' lone run of the game.
Ava White (0-1) was credited with the loss after pitching 4.1 innings and allowing four runs on five hits.
Cessi Prince came in for relief, surrendering one run on three hits. Saint Peter's totaled seven hits, including three doubles, but was unable to capitalize with runners in scoring position.
WHAT HAPPENED
Olivia Christopher opened the game with a single, and
Kiana Kadena Matsuda followed with a double to center field to move Christopher to third with one out. However, a strikeout and flyout ended the early scoring threat.
The Spartans got on the board early with a three-run inning in the bottom of the first. A walk, a Peacock throwing error, and a stolen base put runners in scoring position with no outs. Pitcher Maddy Morris sent a sac fly into center, bringing in the runner on third and advancing the runner on second. Left fielder Aniyah Michalak then doubled to center field to drive in another run before scoring on back-to-back wild pitches. A pop-up to second baseman Christopher and a lineout to shortstop
Angela Tremarco ended the inning.
The Peacocks got on the board in the fifth.
Ashley Murphy entered as a pinch hitter and doubled to left-center to start the inning.
Paige Seemon laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Murphy to third, and Christopher followed with an RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Norfolk State answered with two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. A double, wild pitch, and single put runners on the corners with no outs. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, and another single through the left side brought home a run to make it 4-1. A Peacock fielding error allowed another run to score before Tremarco recorded the final out of the inning on a groundout.
Saint Peter's made one last push in the seventh.
Angelina Wagner singled through the left side with one out, and Seemon followed with a double to center to move Wagner to third. However, a pair of flyouts ended the game as Norfolk State secured the series victory.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks return home for the first time this season, hosting conference foe Quinnipiac in a three-game series at Jaroschak Field from March 7-8. Saturday will feature a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m., with the series concluding Sunday at noon.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
