SPARKILL, N.Y. – The No. 4 D'Youville University Softball team found their footing in playoffs as they won back-to-back games to advance to the East Coast Conference Championship on Saturday. The Saints faced off against No. 3 Molloy University in game one and earned the 4-3 victory. The Saints then went on to defeat No. 2 Mercy University 10-3 in game two to advance.
No. 4 D'Youville University 4 vs No. 3 Molloy University 3 – Game One
It was a high-pressure day after the Saints suffered their first loss of the tournament to St. Thomas Aquinas College the day before and had to win to stay alive in the East Coast Conference tournament. Gameplay started scoreless between the Lions and Saints as they Lions threatened in first three innings with hits but were unable to score. Molloy looked to strike again in the top of the fifth as they put a runner on a second and the fourth batter of the inning singled to left field, but a perfect throw from
Shannon Howes (Palgrave, Ontario, Canada / St. Thomas Aquinas) to home got the lead runner out and kept the game at zero.
The Molloy offense finally pushed runs across in the top of the seventh as they plated three runs to take the 3-0 lead. With their backs against the wall, the Saints never stopped fighting as they loaded the bases following singles from
Laura Beck (Clifton Park, N.Y. / Shenendehowa) and
Isabella Mancino (Wynantskill, N.Y. / Averill Park) along with a walk from
Mia Trietley (Buffalo, N.Y. / Frederick Law Olmsted).
Hailee Jenkins (Ontario, Canada / Fenelon Falls SS) provided the infield single to score the first run for the Saints while
Sophia Arno (Clarence Center, N.Y. / The Brook Hill School) singled through the left side to record an RBI of her own.
Gianna Adamo (Lockport, N.Y. / Starpoint) knocked a single to left field to tie the game at three.
Annie Jorgenson (Victoria, BC / Belmont SS) was the hero yet again as she knocked a double to right field to score Arno and give the Saints the 4-3 walk off victory to keep D'Youville alive in the tournament.
Summer Clark (Williamsville, N.Y. / Williamsville East) got the start for the Saints in the circle throwing the first six innings allowing no runs and striking out two.
No. 4 D'Youville University 10 vs No. 2 Mercy University 3 – Game Two
Annie Jorgenson kept her bat warm as she started game two with a two-run homer in the top of the first to give the Saints the early lead. From there, strong defense and pitching kept the Mavericks at bay while back-to-back doubles from
Becca Sawyer (Courtice, Ontario/ Holy Trinity Catholic SS) and
Sophia Arno added a third run for the Saints.
The Mavericks fought back plating three runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. The score remained that way until the top of the seventh when the Saints offense exploded for seven more runs. Trietley, Adamo, Jorgenson, and Howes all recorded hits along with four fielder's choice plays to put the Saints ahead 10-3.
Sarah Parzych (Getzville, N.Y. / Williamsville North) shut down the Mavericks offense in the bottom of the seventh to give the Saints the 10-3 victory in game two and send them to the championship game. Parzych threw the complete game for the Saints earning her second win of the day while only allowing one earned run in the game with four strikeouts.
Up Next
The Saints will compete once again against No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas College tomorrow for the ECC Championship title. With STAC earning no losses in the tournament thus far, D'Youville will have to earn two victories over the Spartans to take the title. Game one will begin at 11 AM with game two following immediately after if necessary.
