SPARKILL, N.Y. – Behind Gisselle Garcia's impressive performance in game two, the Pace University softball team managed to split the road doubleheader with Saint Thomas Aquinas College dropping game one, 1-2, and taking game two, 3-0. The Setters now sit at 19-9 overall, and 7-3 in the Northeast-10.
Game One
The Setters began their day on the right note with a sacrifice fly from Riley Jenkins in the top of the first inning to snag an early 1-0 lead. In the third, Saint Thomas Aquinas answered with a run of their own, to tie the game at one.
In the next inning, the game-winning run came off the bat of Eliana Raposo as Saint Thomas Aquinas took control, 2-1. The one-run lead was enough for the Spartans to hold the win as Sarah Clancy allowed just one hit in the final three innings. Clancy led the Spartans, throwing a complete game with one run allowed and six strikeouts.
Lauren Belles had a productive day in the circle for Pace, tossing six innings and allowing one earned run off four hits. Raelle Gorman went 2-for-3 at the plate scoring one run.
Game Two
In the second game of the doubleheader, Pace's bats found success while Garcia dominated on the mound. After two scoreless innings, the Setters struck first with a Jenkins RBI single to capture a 1-0 advantage. In the bottom of the third, Garcia struck out the side to keep the momentum on Pace's side moving into the fourth.
Moving into the seventh, the score remained the same as both pitchers cruised through the lineups. However, Pace tallied two runs in the top half of the final inning behind back-to-back RBI singles by Katerina Luna and Gorman. Heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Setters held a 3-0 advantage. Garcia then retired the side in order to secure Pace's 19th win of the season and her tenth victory of the season.
Garcia stunned the Spartan lineup by tossing a complete shutout allowing two hits while striking out 11 batters. The Trio of Luna (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Gorman (1-for-4, 1 RBI), and Jenkins (2-for-4) highlighted the offense for Pace.
Up Next
This Saturday, the Setters celebrate Senior Day at the Pace Softball Field with a doubleheader match-up against Assumption University.
