PETERSBURG, VA – Monday afternoon, the Pace University softball team split the doubleheader against Virginia State University winning game one, 12-1, and dropping game two, 2-4. The Blue and Gold leave Virginia with a 3-1 record to start the season. 

Game One (5 innings) 

The Setters leaped out to a 3-0 lead after Raelle Gorman, Gisselle Garcia, and Willa Poplawski all tallied an RBI in the top of the first inning. In the third, Pace added more runs starting with a solo homer run from Shea Brianna which marks her second of the season. Poplawski supplied another RBI in the inning and a sacrifice fly brought the Setter lead to 7-0 entering the bottom of the third.  

In the next inning, the Blue and Gold continued to bring runs across the plate scoring four more against the Trojans. An RBI double in the fifth from Gorman marked the end of Pace's scoring rout as they secured a 12-1 victory in game one of the slate. 

Gorman shined at the plate, producing four RBI's in a 4-for-4 performance. Poplawski was also perfect at the dish, going 3-for-3 and bringing home three runs.  

On the mound, freshman Lauren Belles earned her first win of the season, tossing four innings while striking out three batters.  

Game Two (7 innings) 

In game two, Virginia State's offense found momentum in the third inning bringing two runs across the plate, giving them a 2-0 advantage into the fourth.  

The Trojans scored a run in each of the next two innings to hold a 4-0 lead into the sixth inning. The Setters rallied behind an RBI from Shea, and an RBI single from Gorman to trim the deficit to two runs. After the lead-off batter reached base to begin the seventh inning, the Setters were within striking distance of the lead. However, the next three batters were retired, and Pace dropped their first game of the season, by a final score of 2-4.  

Shea and Gorman each produced an RBI in the contest for Pace. Virginia State was led by the pitching of Alaijah Pratt, as the junior tossed seven innings, allowing two hits and one run. 

Up Next 

After completing two doubleheaders in Virginia to begin the year, the Setters are 3-1 boasting an impressive start on the mound and at the plate. In the first four games of the season, the Blue and Gold totaled 38 runs, and 36 hits, while allowing only five runs. 

Next for the Setters is a Saturday afternoon doubleheader on the road against Shippensburg University.