Blue Jays Split Final Day of Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in Myrtle Beach

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team wrapped up the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic splitting its final doubleheader on Thursday in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Blue Jays got revenge against Mount Aloysius College (MAC) to begin the day, defeating the Mounties 10-2 in five innings, before falling to Castleton University, 5-4, to cap off the spring training trip.

GAME ONE
Score: USJ 10, MAC 2 – 5 innings
Records: USJ (3-6), MAC (2-5)
Location: North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex - Field 6 | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After the Mounties went down in order to start the game, USJ exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first. Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Ouellette (Wolcott, Conn.) led off the inning with a single to start the run. After a quick first out, sophomore shortstop Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) ripped a double, plating Ouellette and establishing an early 1-0 lead. A walk in the next at-bat by sophomore Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) enabled senior catcher Liliana Stoddard (Waterford, Conn.) to slash a double, brining home Zup to take a 2-0 lead.

The scoring run continued as Roberts scored from an MAC error, while senior catcher Kelsie LaHouse (Coventry, Conn.) ripped a double in the next at-bat, scoring Stoddard to increase the gap to 4-0. The score quickly reached 6-0, as a double from freshman infielder Alex Volinsky (Berwick, Maine) plated LaHouse and freshman outfielder McKenzie Fairfax (Waterbury, Conn.) to increase the lead in the next at-bat. The big scoring inning would finish off with Ouellette notching an RBI single, giving USJ a 7-0 edge after the opening inning.

MAC would try and mount a comeback, combining for two runs across the second and third innings, cutting the gap to 7-2. However, USJ would put the game out of reach in the bottom half of the third. LaHouse began the inning with a double before freshman Tessa D'Aquila (Old Saybrook, Conn.) drew a walk to get runners on first and second. Ouellette continued her monstrous day, launching a triple, scoring both runners and increasing the gap to 9-2. Junior outfielder Isabel Milardo (Middlefield, Conn.) followed the triple by hitting a ball deep enough into the infield, scoring Ouellette and establishing a 10-2 lead.

The Mounties mounted one last comeback attempt, getting runners on first and second, but a perfect throw from LaHouse got a runner out trying to steal third, putting an end to the MAC momentum. Ouellette continued to shut the door on the MAC offense, keeping the Mounties off the scoreboard to preserve a 10-2 victory after five innings.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Ouellette earned the victory (1-1) after pitching a complete game , allowing two runs off five hits, while striking out three Mounties.

MAC – Marina Shawley picked up the loss (1-2) allowing seven runs, five of which were earned, from five hits in only 0.1 innings of work. Jessica Koptcho pitched the remaining 3.2 innings in relief, allowing three runs off four hits, while tallying five strikeouts.

GAME TWO
Score: USJ 4, Castleton 5
Records: USJ (3-7), Castleton (1-1)
Location: North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex - Field 4 | North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Spartans and Blue Jays were locked in a pitchers duel, as USJ's starter freshman Paige Fekete (Watertown, Conn.) and Castleton's Alexis Rogers kept the opposing offenses at bay in the opening two innings. Castleton would strike first in the top of the third, tallying two runs to take a 2-0 lead. USJ wasted little time answering back, cutting the lead in half in the bottom half of the frame. With one out, Fairfax would be hit by a pitch to get a runner on base, advancing to second in the next at-bat. Milardo came up clutch in a two-out situation, ripping a double to right, plating Fairfax and cutting the deficit to 2-1.

LaHouse looked to level the score in the bottom of the fifth after advancing to third after a lead off single, but Rogers struck out Ouellette to end the inning and keep USJ off the board. However, the Blue Jays would not be deterred, as they took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. USJ would load the bases after Milardo and Roberts singled, before a fielders choice enabled Stoddard to load the bases. The pressure seemed too much for the Spartan's, throwing a wild pitch that allowed Milardo to score and tie the game at 2-2. Sophomore Brianna Catalani (Watertown, Conn.) drew a walk in the following at-bat to reload the bases, while another wild pitch saw pinch runner, freshman Devan Fox (Granville, Mass.), score to give USJ its first lead of the contest, 3-2. The scoring run continued as pinch hitter Elaina Previty (Pawcatuck, Conn.) slashed a single to left, plating Stoddard and increasing the lead to 4-2 entering the seventh inning.

However, the Spartans would respond in kind in the top of the seventh, tacking on three runs to reestablish a 5-4 edge. Zup looked to get USJ back in the game, notching a single before advancing to third on the same play, to breathe life into a USJ comeback. However, the Spartans would strand her at third, recording the final out to escape with a 5-4 victory.

IN THE CIRCLE

USJ – Fekete picked up the loss (1-2), allowing five runs off seven hits, while striking out three batters in 6.1 innings of work. Roberts pitched the remaining 0.2 innings in relief, giving up two hits on the day.

CASTLETON – Rogers was credited with the win (1-0) allowing four runs, two of which were earned, off five hits, tossing five strikeouts. Alexandra Brouillette pitched the seventh inning in relief, picking up the save after allowing one hit and tossing one strikeout.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays return to West Hartford for their first-ever game on the newly renovated turf USJ Softball Field, welcoming Salem State for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 21. First pitch in game one is set for 3:00 p.m.

Follow USJ Athletics
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays