BRIDGEPORT, WV – The D'Youville University Softball team opened their 2024 season in Bridgeport, WV at the Regional Roundup at the Bridge Sports Complex hosted by Salem University. The Saints split a pair of games with Malone University winning the first 11-5 and losing the second 11-0.
 
Game One
It was a solid start to the season for junior Sarah Parzych (Getzville, N.Y. / Williamsville North) helped give the Saints the win going 5.1innings and only giving up 4 earned runs and striking out 7. Ava Miller (Elma, N.Y. / St. Mary's) led the Saints going 2 for 5 at the plate and both Sophia Arno (Clarence Center, N.Y./ The Brook Hill School) and Emily Pryzbysz (Hamburg, N.Y. / Frontier Central) drove in 2 runs each.
 
The Saints got it started early in the top of the 2nd with senior Ava Miller reaching first base on a throwing error. With another batter coming to the plate, Miller then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on the throw making it a 1-0 game.
 
The Saints continued strong at the plate and increase their lead plating 6 runs in the top of the third to make it a 7-0 game. The Pioneers then answered back plating three runs to make it a 7-3 game. Sophomore Sophia Arno brought in another run with her RBI double in the 4th. The Pioneers were not able to answer in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Lauren Booth (Lancaster, N.Y. / Lancaster) doubled to right field in the top of the fifth, bringing junior Laura Beck (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) home increasing the lead to 9-3.
 
The Pioneers attempted to chip away bringing in one run during the bottom of the fifth, but the Saints came right back scoring two more runs in the top of the sixth to bring the game to 11-4. The Pioneers tacked one run on in the bottom of the sixth, but the Saints would hold strong on defense and earn their first victory in their first game of the season 11-5 over the Pioneers.
 
Game Two
Malone came out swinging early in the game, grasping a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The Saints only base runner of the game was freshman Isabella Mancino (Wynantskill, N.Y. / Averill Park) who was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the first.
 
The Pioneers had a strong third inning plating six runs to widen their lead to 7-0, and added one more run in the top of the fourth. Malone then scored three more runs in the top of the fifth to make the lead 11-0.
 
The Saints were not able to get any runs on the board, splitting the double header with the Pioneers.

Saints Stats
Ava Miller led the Saints at the plate going 2-for-5 with a double and three runs scored. Mikayla Bush (Elmira Heights, N.Y. / Thomas Edison) knocked in two runs of her own with a single to center field in game one. Sarah Parzych had a great start in the circle recording seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched and getting the win for the Saints in game one.
 
Up Next
The Saints are back in action tomorrow with two games, the first against Ursuline College at 9:00 AM followed by a match up against Salem University at 11:00 AM.