Blue Jay Bats Strike First, Fall Late In Season Opener, 3-2

Recap, photo courtesy of USJ

FORT MEYERS, Flo— The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team kicked their season off with an early lead, but could not maintain it over the final two innings, falling to Alfred State College (ASC), 3-2, inside the CenturyLink Sports Complex Saturday morning.

Teams are competing all week down south in the annual Gene Cusic Classic, created by Cusic and the Lee County Parks and Recreation (FL), giving collegiate baseball and softball teams an opportunity to participate in a tournament during their respective spring breaks.

The Pioneers (1-0) scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch, after getting two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh.  The Blue Jays (0-1) led 2-0 into the bottom of the sixth, but allowed three runs in the final two innings. Freshman center fielder Marissa Varela (Egg Harbor Twp, N.J.) finished 1-for-3 with an RBI single to center field. Sophomore first basemen Ashley Peterson (Maybrook, N.Y.) followed it up with an RBI single to right, scoring Varela to tie the game at two. Freshman third basemen Arianna Traugott (Elmira, N.Y.) had the only extra base hit of the game, a double in the bottom of the second. Junior catcher McKenna Driscoll (Bristol, Conn.) drove in both Blue Jay runs on the day, finishing 2-for-3 with two singles.

Junior pitcher Amaria Sharon (Tolland, Conn.) pitched five innings, allowing just three hits and three walks, to go along with six strikeouts for USJ. Freshman pitcher Brittany Fisher (Indianapolis, Ind.) struck out four in seven innings.

The Blue Jays struck first with some small ball, as Driscoll singled to right field, and advanced to second on the throw. The single brought sophomore second basemen Michelle Woodruff (Southington, Conn.) home after reaching earlier on a bunt. Senior third basemen Kara Klimaszewski (Naugatuck, Conn.) also scored after hitting a single. USJ led 2-0, heading into the bottom of the third.

Sharon used experience to her advantage, forcing several fly-outs and groundouts, in addition to the strikeouts. The Blue Jays went to freshman pitcher Julia Annecchiarico (Ludlow, Conn.), for relief to start the bottom of the sixth, but the Pioneer bats suddenly caught fire, as Fisher scored on an RBI single from Varela to make it 2-1.

After a fly out, Peterson singled to right, scoring Varela to tie it at two. Annecchiarico retired the next two batters to end the inning. Annecchiarico singled in the top of the seventh, but Saint Joe's was unable to respond.

The Pioneers kept on the pressure in the bottom of the seventh, knowing they needed just more run to complete the comeback. Freshman pitcher Natalie Amato (Cheshire, Conn.) came in after the first two runners reached on a walk and hit batter. ASC loaded the bases with nobody out, and after a wild throw, the Pioneers brought home the winning run to clinch their first victory of the season.

Up Next
USJ will be competing all week long in the annual Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Meyers, Florida. The Blue Jays will play in their second straight double-header Sunday, March 10 against Lesley (MA) at 9:00 a.m., and Western Connecticut State (CT) at 1:00 p.m.