JERSEY CITY, NJ– The Saint Peter's softball team (6-26, 3-15 MAAC) split a Saturday conference doubleheader with Merrimack (7-23, 5-12 MAAC), falling 9-5 in game one before bouncing back with an 8-0 victory in the nightcap at Jaroschak Field.
Morgan Lipansky recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts, while
Brielle Coppola tossed the program's first no-hitter to secure the Peacocks' third conference win.
After surrendering a late lead in game one, the Peacocks responded with one of their most dominant performances of the season in the nightcap.
Morgan Lipansky (3-8) was dominant through 6.2 innings, striking out a career-high 11 batters while holding Merrimack hitless. The Warriors broke through in the seventh, plating nine runs on five hits, though only one run was earned.
The Peacocks totaled nine hits in game one, with
Angela Tremarco going a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored, double, and stolen base.
Lauren Czerwinski went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs, including her first collegiate triple.
Brielle Coppola (1-8) earned her first win of the season, tossing a complete-game no-hitter while tying her career high with six strikeouts. The offense backed her with 13 hits, eight RBIs, three extra-base hits, and a pair of stolen bases in the nightcap.
Five Peacocks recorded multi-hit performances in game two, with
Olivia Christopher leading the way with a 3-for-4 outing.
Angela Tremarco remained perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a career-high four RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GAME ONE
Morgan Lipansky opened the game by retiring Merrimack's top of the order with three consecutive strikeouts. She remained in control through the middle innings, piling up strikeouts and holding the Warriors hitless through six.
Saint Peter's provided early support in the second with a two-run inning.
Olivia Christopher singled to open the frame and
Angela Tremarco followed with a double to put runners in scoring position. With two outs,
Lauren Czerwinski delivered a bases-clearing triple down the right field line to give the Peacocks a 2-0 lead.
The Peacocks added another run in the fourth when Tremarco reached on a single up the middle and later scored on a Merrimack error, extending the lead to 3-0.
Merrimack rallied in the seventh, recording its first hit of the game before capitalizing on a combination of hits, walks, and defensive miscues to score nine runs and take a 9-3 lead.
Saint Peter's threatened in the bottom half, as
Bella Nutting singled in a pinch-hit appearance and
Carlee Charles drove in two runs with a double, but the comeback fell short.
GAME TWO
Brielle Coppola set the tone early, retiring Merrimack's top of the order in the first while beginning a dominant outing in the circle.
The Peacocks struck first in the opening frame, using a walk, three consecutive singles from
Paige Seemon,
Carlee Charles, and
Olivia Christopher, and a sacrifice fly to take a 2-0 lead.
Coppola worked out of trouble in the third, stranding a runner at third with her fifth swinging strikeout, and carried the no-hit bid into the later innings.
Saint Peter's extended its lead to 4-0 in the third.
Kiana Kadena Matsuda reached on a bunt single, and
Carlee Charles followed with a base hit before
Angela Tremarco drove both in with a two-out double to deep left center.
The Peacocks added three more runs in the fourth.
Angelina Wagner drew a walk to start the inning, and after a series of singles loaded the bases, a fielder's choice brought in a run before
Christopher delivered a two-RBI single up the middle to make it 7-0.
In the sixth, Saint Peter's sealed the run-rule victory. With two outs, back-to-back first-pitch hits from Christopher and Tremarco drove in the final run to secure the 8-0 win and complete the no-hitter.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks conclude the series with the Warriors on Sunday at 1 p.m. Following the game, family and friends are invited to stay for Family Day at the field for fun, food, and socializing.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
