BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The Pace University softball team rallied back from two separate three-run deficits to take game two of their doubleheader at Bridgeport University 12-11 in extra innings. The Purple Knights took game one 12-2 as each team picked up one victory Thursday, April 20.

Game One: Bridgeport 10, Pace 2 (5 innings)

The Setters (22-18, 11-7 NE10) put up a pair of runs in the first to take the early lead, as sophomore first baseman Brianna Shea (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino) connected on a two-run double to centerfield to put Pace ahead in the early going.

The Purple Knights (24-19) came right back in the home half of the first, picking up a pair of singles with one out to get started. Taylor Yates then put Bridgeport on top with one swing, blasting a three-run homer to centerfield to give the home team a 3-2 lead.

Bridgeport broke it open in the second, putting up four runs to take a 7-2 lead. Three singles loaded the bases, and a walk forced in a run. A two-run single plated two more, and an error scored another for the final run of the inning.

Two walks followed by two singles plated another run for the Purple Knights in the third, and the home team was able to finish it off in the fifth with a two-run single by Mya Jones to take a 10-2 win in five innings.

Game Two: Pace 12, Bridgeport 11 (9 innings)

Freshman shortstop Kaylee Matsuda (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Iolani School) led off game two with a walk and came in to score on a two-out RBI single by senior outfielder Gwen Pederson (Sylmar, Calif./Granada Hills Charter) as the Setters looked to turn it around in game two.

The home team jumped in front in the bottom of the second, scoring four two-out runs to take the lead. Jones and Hailey Kim each had an RBI single, while Madison D'Amato picked up a two-run double for Bridgeport as they went ahead 4-1.

Pace pulled within one in the next half inning. With one out and runners on second and third, freshman second baseman Sophie Valle (Chino, Calif./Walnut) drove a run in with a single to right center. Junior Sammi Swenson (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) brought in another run on an RBI groundout, as Matsuda came home to make it a 4-3 game.

The Purple Knights created some separation in the bottom of the fourth, putting up two more runs. Yates picked up a sacrifice fly, then Samantha Schiebe singled to drive in another run with two outs.

The Setters got one back in the top of the fifth, getting another RBI single from Valle with two out. However, the visitors left two runners stranded in the inning, keeping the score at 6-4.

In the top of the seventh, Pace got runners to second and third with one out, and Valle came through once again. The freshman drove a run-scoring single to right field to score one and make it a 6-5 game, picking up her third RBI of the day. Swenson then came to the plate and singled to left to tie the game, and error by the left fielder allowed Valle to come in with the go-ahead run as Pace took a 7-6 lead. The visitors added another run on a delayed steal with two out, giving them a two-run lead.

With the Purple Knights down to their final out and runners on first and second, Jones tied the game with a two-run double off the left centerfield fence to send the game to extra innings at 8-8.

Pace took the lead in the top of the eighth, loading the bases and getting a sac fly from freshman Willa Poplawski (San Clemente, Calif./JSerra Catholic) to go ahead 9-8. But the Setters couldn't get another run across as Bridgeport kept it a one-run game heading to the bottom of the inning.

An RBI single with two out tied the game at nine, but the Setters were able to get out of the inning without giving up the game-winning run to send it to the ninth.

The visitors responded with three runs in the ninth, starting with an RBI double from Pederson to put the Setters ahead. A fielder's choice and error brought Pederson in, and a two-out RBI single by freshman Haley Rusbuldt (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) gave them a 12-9 lead.

Bridgeport pushed across two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but Pace left the tying run stranded at third to take a 12-11 victory.

Up Next

Pace is back on the road Saturday, April 22, as the Setters play a doubleheader at Caldwell University. First pitch is scheduled for noon.