BRIARCLIFF, NY- The Setters split a twin bill with the American International College Yellow Jackets as they fell in the opener 9-6 but rallied in the final inning to take game two 2-1.
Pace moves to 11-18 overall and 6-5 in the Northeast-10 Southwest Division, while American International stands at 8-17 overall and 2-6 in division play.
In the opener, the Yellow Jackets got on the board in the opening inning with three runs in the first. The Setters cut into the lead with two in their half of the inning. Natalie Gellos (Seattle, WA/Holy Names Academy) (Seattle, WA/Holy Names Academy) and Shelby Yung (Upland, CA/Upland) (Upland, CA/Upland) both had RBI singles to slice the score to 3-2.
American International tacked on three runs in the second and third inning. The Setters got one back in the second on a Yung RBI single for cut it to 9-3 after three innings. Pace added to their total in the fifth as the Setters loaded the bases with two outs. Kimberly Duffy (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) (North Babylon, NY/North Babylon) came through with a key hit as she ripped a base clearing double to cut it down to 9-6 but the Setters fell in the opener.
For the Setters, Duffy went 2-for-3 with three RBI, while Gellos and Yung both went 2-for-4. Caitlin McCann (San Mateo, CA/Notre Dame) (San Mateo, CA/Notre Dame) took the loss, tossing the first two innings, allowing six runs on six hits, while striking out two. Kaitlynn Nelson (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff) (Ojai, CA/Nordhoff) went the final five innings, allowing three runs on five hits and struck out six.
In the nightcap, the Setters struck first as Gellos singled with two outs and scored on a Nikole Larm (Brewster, NY/Brewster). The Yellow Jackets rallied in the fifth as they pulled even at 1-1. Pace took the win in the seventh as they loaded the bases with no outs and pushed across the game-winning run on an infield error to pick up the split.
For the Setters, McCann (7-9) was on the right side of the pitcher's duel as she tossed a complete game, allowing one run on five hits and struck out three.
The Setters and the Yellow Jackets are back in action on Sunday, April 12 as the teams will play one game starting at noon on the Pace Briarcliff campus.
