CALDWELL, N.J. – The Pace University softball team visited Caldwell University, one of the top teams in the region, Thursday afternoon for a non-conference doubleheader. The Setters' late comeback fell short in Game 1, resulting in a 6-4 defeat, but a big offensive day by junior right fielder
Jordan Chillinsky (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad High School), and a complete-game shutout for freshman starting pitcher
Emma Bernet (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W Baker) lifted Pace to a 3-0 win in the finale to earn the split.
GAME 1: CALDWELL 6, PACE 4
SCORING PLAYS
Bottom 3rd – Caldwell
- An error on a ground ball led to Caldwell's first two runs coming in to score in the bottom of the third.
Bottom 4th – Caldwell
- With the bases loaded, catcher Marisa Monasseri drew a walk, bringing a run home to make it 3-0 Cougars.
- Right fielder Carly Testa then singled to left to bring in another run.
- Jessie Johnston then added another RBI single to make it a 5-0 game.
Top 5th – Pace
- The Setters got some luck to fall their way to get them on the board in the fifth, as junior center fielder
Larissa Labs (Carlsbad, CA/San Marcos High School) reached on an error, allowing junior shortstop
Ashley Lew (New City, NY/Clarkstown High School North) to score and get Pace on the board.
Bottom 5th – Caldwell
- Center fielder Amy Hickman hit an RBI double to left-center, adding another run to put the Cougars ahead by five.
Top 7th – Pace
- The Setters had runners on the corners with one away when senior second baseman
Haley Hernandez (West Hills, CA/El Camino Real) ripped a single to right, scoring freshman
Emma Carruth (Torrance, CA/Beverly Hills) to get Pace within four.
- A failed attempt to pick off Lew at third then allowed her and Hernandez to score, making it a 6-4 game, but the Setters were unable to continue the rally and fell by two.
GAME 1 PITCHING DECISIONS
Win: Sydney Ponto (8-3)
Loss: Jaclyn Flores (3-2)
GAME 1 SETTER STATS
- Hernandez hit 1-for-2 with the Setters' only RBI, a run scored and two walks.
- Freshman third baseman
Emma Schafer (Mission Viejo, CA/El Toro) hit 2-for-3 with a double.
- Labs batted 1-for-4 with a double of her own.
GAME 1 COUGAR LEADERS
- Shortstop Melissa Rini hit 2-for-2 with two runs.
- Hickman hit 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run and a double.
- Left fielder Katie Nichols batted 2-for-3 with a run scored.
GAME 2: PACE 3, CALDWELL 0
SCORING PLAYS
Top 6th – Pace
- After five scoreless frames, the Setters set themselves up to score quickly in the sixth when Hernandez hit a leadoff double to right.
- After Schafer walked later in the inning, Chillinsky slammed a two-RBI double to left-center, bringing in both runners to put the Setters ahead, 2-0.
Top 7th – Pace
- Hernandez hit a triple with one out to once again set the Setters up to score.
- Labs came through with a single to Setter, plating pinch runner
Stephanie Wang (Arcadia, CA/Arcadia) to make it a 3-0 game.
GAME 2 PITCHING DECISIONS
Win:
Emma Bernet (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W Baker) (2-2)
Loss: Jessie Johnston (3-3)
Pitching Notes
- Bernet went the full seven innings without allowing a run to pick up her second win. She gave up just four hits without a walk, and struck out one batter.
GAME 2 SETTER STATS
- Chillinsky finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and the game-winning double.
- Hernandez hit 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.
- Labs batted 2-for-4 with an RBI.
- Senior catcher
Nikole Larm (Brewster, NY/Brewster) and Carruth both went 1-for-3, with Larm's hit being a double.
GAME 2 COUGAR LEADERS
- Second baseman Lauren Frye batted 2-for-2.
- Johnston had the other two hits after going 2-for-3.
TEAM RECORDS
Pace: 9-6
Caldwell: 13-8
UP NEXT:
- The Setters return home on Saturday, April 1, to host the College of Saint Rose in a Northeast-10 Conference doubleheader at Pace Field. First pitch of Game 1 is set for 12 p.m.
For all information regarding Pace University softball, log on to
www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace Athletics on Facebook (
T-Bone, Official Mascot of Pace University Athletics) and follow Pace Softball on Twitter (
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