SPARKILL, N.Y. – The No. 4 D'Youville University Softball team dropped their first game to the No.1 St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans 3-0 on Thursday afternoon in the first round of East Coast Conference playoffs.

No. 4 D'Youville University 0 at No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas College 3
In the opening round of East Coast Conference playoffs, the Saints ranked as the four-seed took on the top ranked Spartans to kick off the tournament. The Spartans got on the board first plating one run in the bottom of the first to take the early lead.

The Saints offense struggled to get going as Laura Beck (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) singled up the middle to record the Saints first hit of the day in the top of the fifth. Gabby Moreno (San Diego, Calif. / Rancho Buena Vista) followed behind reaching first on an error by the pitcher as she laid down a bunt, putting runners on first and third for the Saints. Unfortunately, the Spartan Defense held strong as the final two Saints were retired in the inning.

The Spartans struck again in the bottom of the sixth as a two-run homerun put STAC ahead 3-0. The Saints were unable to answer in the top of the seventh as STAC took the game 3-0.

Despite the loss, it was a strong showing for Senior, Sarah Parzych (Getzville, N.Y. / Williamsville North) as she went the distance in the circle for the Saints throwing seven strikeouts while only allowing four hits.

Up Next
The Saints will face off against No. 3 Molloy University in round two of the playoffs tomorrow at 12:30 PM with the winner moving on.