New Haven, F.L. - The SUNY Poly softball team bounced back on day two of the "THE Spring Games," defeating the Saint Joseph's College of Maine Monks by a score of 6-0 and the Regis College Pride by a score of 8-0. The Wildcats now sit at 2-2 on the season.
GAME ONE VS SAINT JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OF MAINE
The game began with Saint Joseph's (Me.) going down in order in the top of the first inning, while the Wildcats quickly took control in the bottom half of the inning. Ava Faragon stole second, Shelbi Hagues walked, and then Annabella Mondello's two-run single to left center, along with a pair of fielding miscues by the Saint Joseph's allowed both Faragon and Hagues to score. The Wildcats would then tack on an additional run on a Joely Welpe RBI, who reached on an error by the shortstop.
In the bottom of the second, SUNY Poly would extend its lead to 5-0. After a flyout and a pop-up, Hagues walked once again, and Kimberly Birmingham delivered a two-run homer.
The Wildcats continued their offensive surge in the bottom of the third, although they failed to add to their tally, leaving two runners on base. A passed ball moved the runners into scoring position, but they were unable to capitalize.
SUNY Poly made it 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth after a leadoff double by Faragon and a passed ball allowed her to score. Saint Joseph's would go down quietly in the fifth inning, with three straight strikeouts.
The Wildcats' defense stood strong throughout the final innings, and despite a few base runners for Saint Joseph's, SUNY Poly's pitching and defense shut the door to seal a 6-0 victory.
GAME TWO VS REGIS COLLEGE
Game two got off to an exciting start as the Wildcats wasted no time in putting runs on the board in the top of the first inning. After Ava Faragon walked and stole second, Annabella Mondello doubled to center field, bringing Faragon home for a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats then added another run when Joely Welpe singled to left field, driving in Mondello.
SUNY Poly kept the pressure on in the second inning, but Regis' defense managed to turn a double play to end the inning. Regis, on the other hand, struggled again in the bottom of the second with three more strikeouts, leaving them scoreless heading into the third.
The Wildcats extended their lead in the top of the third inning. Faragon singled, stole second, and came around to score on a single by Hagues.
In the fourth, SUNY Poly couldn't add to their lead, going down quietly in order, while Regis' struggles continued in the bottom half. The Regis batters couldn't get anything going, as they struck out three times again, keeping the score at 3-0.
The Wildcats exploded in the top of the fifth inning. After a couple of key hits and an error by Regis, SUNY Poly piled on five runs to take a commanding 8-0 lead. The scoring began with a hit by pitch on Faragon, followed by a single from Hagues, and Mondello's RBI single. Then, a fielding error by Regis' third baseman allowed two more runs to cross the plate. Welpe doubled to bring in two more unearned runs, and O'Conner's single drove in Welpe, pushing the score to 8-0.
Regis had no response in the bottom of the fifth, as they went down in order. SUNY Poly's pitching staff and defense remained dominant, and the Wildcats cruised to an 8-0 victory.
