JERSEY CITY, NJ– The Saint Peter's softball team (4-16) fell to the FDU Knights (6-18) by a combined score of 23-3 in Thursday's doubleheader at Jaroschak Field.
The Peacocks struggled at the plate in game one, totaling just three hits, with
Hannah Klotz pacing the offense with a perfect 2-for-2 performance, recording her second consecutive multi-hit game and fourth double of the season.
Brielle Coppola (0-4) was credited with the loss, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing five earned runs on six hits.
Ava Mormile and
Cessi Prince came in for relief, combining for 12 earned runs on 10 hits.
In game two, the Peacocks totaled nine hits but struggled to bring runners home, stranding eight.
Hannah Klotz, Kiana Kadena Matsuda, and
Paige Seemon each recorded two hits, with Klotz adding an RBI, Kadena Matsuda scoring a run, and Seemon knocking a team-high fifth double of the season while also adding a stolen base.
Morgan Lipansky (2-5) pitched game two, throwing a complete game while allowing five hits and two earned runs and striking out eight for a game ERA of 2.00.
WHAT HAPPENED
GAME ONE
Two walks, a double to left field, a groundout to advance the runner, a stolen base, a fielder's choice, and a double steal to home put FDU up 3-0 in the first. Saint Peter's tried to gain momentum in the bottom half of the frame with a two-out
Hannah Klotz double to left and a
Carlee Charles walk, but both runners were left stranded.
FDU continued its scoring in the second inning with two singles, another groundout to advance the runner, a Peacock error, and a double to push the score to 5-0.
Saint Peter's was sent down in order in both the second and third innings. In the top of the third, the Knights added another run on two singles.
FDU broke the game open in the fourth with a six-run frame. After a walk to start the inning, the Knights hit a two-run homer to go up 8-0. A trio of singles and a walk pushed the score to 9-0, and a groundout allowed another runner to score, making it 10-0. Back-to-back singles extended the lead to 12-0, and a fielder's choice, a walk, and another single put FDU ahead 14-0.
In the bottom half of the fourth, the Peacocks loaded the bases with a Klotz single to left, a Charles walk, and a
Paige Seemon single to left field, but a double play ball and a flyout ended the threat.
FDU added four more runs in the final inning on three walks, two groundouts, a double up the middle, and a single to right to take an 18-0 lead. Saint Peter's went down in order in the fifth, ending the game in favor of the Knights.
GAME TWO
FDU opened game two with an early 1-0 lead following a double to right field, a wild pitch, and a stolen base home. In the bottom half of the inning, the Peacocks put runners in scoring position with a
Hannah Klotz walk and an
Olivia Christopher single. A pop-up advanced the runners, but a flyout ended the opportunity.
The Knights added another run in the third on a double to left field, a passed ball, and a sacrifice fly, and then a solo home run in the fourth extended their lead to 3-0.
Saint Peter's got on the board in the fifth when
Kiana Kadena Matsuda led off with a single to center field.
Paige Seemon followed with a one-out double to center, and
Angelina Wagner laid down a sacrifice bunt to drive in Kadena Matsuda.
FDU added two insurance runs in the sixth off a single, a passed ball, two Peacock errors, and a wild pitch to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Peacocks threatened in the final frame, with
Kayla Foy leading off with a double to left field.
Ashley Murphy came in to pinch hit and sliced a single into left field, and Klotz followed with a single to center to bring in pinch runner
Bella Nutting. A Knight error drove in Murphy, but a pop-up ended the game, completing the sweep for FDU, 5-3.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks hit the road to face conference foe Siena in a three-game series at Siena Softball Field in Loudonville, NY, March 28–29. Saturday's doubleheader begins at 12 p.m., with game two scheduled for 2 p.m. The series concludes Sunday at noon. All three games will be streamed on Siena All Access.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
